Catholic Central hockey adds another state championship to the trophy room

NOVI — An already established dynasty in Division 1 hockey, Detroit Catholic Central continues to add hardware to its trophy room each year no matter what coach is at the helm or what numbers are on the backs of the jerseys.

On March 11 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, that sentiment rang true once more as Catholic Central (29-1) earned a 3-0 win over Brighton in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals to earn the school’s fourth straight state title.

Unlike their previous four matchups in the state tournament, in which they averaged seven goals per game, Catholic Central knew a game against Brighton would take the team’s best to earn the win. Brighton, who fell to Catholic Central 2-1 early in December, was the only team that lost to Catholic Central to come within one goal of the team on the year. Brighton previously faced Catholic Central in the 2022 MHSAA State Final, losing 5-1.

“They definitely made us try to wear them out a little more,” senior Landon West said. “We had goals come easy in the past, but we really had to work a lot harder for it, but it felt good when we got the win.”

Catholic Central made it look easy early on, scoring two goals before the end of the first period courtesy of juniors Jackson Walsh and Nolan Galda.

Walsh, who had a team-high four goals in the state tournament, fired the first goal past the Brighton goalie after receiving a perfect pass from senior Griffin Crampton to take the early lead just four minutes into the first period.

After Galda tacked on an insurance goal to make it 2-0, Catholic Central found itself in unfamiliar territory for what felt like almost the entirety of the game.

Going scoreless in the second period and putting Brighton on the power play five times throughout the game, Catholic Central relied on its penalty kill and senior goaltender Luca Naurato more often than usual. Catholic Central’s defensive efforts outlasted Brighton’s offensive pressure.

“I think our penalty kill is the best in the state,” Naurato said.

Naurato was strong in net, stopping all 20 shots he faced.

Walsh tacked on an empty-net goal to close out the game with two minutes left in the third period, and it was a Catholic Central celebration as the final horn sang with players throwing every piece of gear and equipment they could.

Earning their 14th title since 2000, and head coach Brandon Kaleniecki’s fifth with the program as head coach, Catholic Central continues to hold the top spot in Division 1 hockey behind a continued influx of talent and leadership.

Catholic Central is set to graduate 12 seniors, but they will leave a legacy for the years to come.

For the seniors, there’s no better way to end their high school careers.

“The perfect season is ending with a state championship ring, right?” Naurato said.