MIHL Welcomes St. Ignace Saints for 2025-26

St. Ignace Saints Join MIHL as Seventh Team for 2025-26 Season

St. Louis, MI – Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — The Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL) proudly announces the addition of the St. Ignace Saints as its newest affiliate, set to compete in the upcoming 2025-26 season. With this expansion, the league now includes seven teams, with at least one more team expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Saints will play their home games at the Little Bear East Community Center & Arena, a facility capable of hosting over 1,500 fans. Located at 275 Marquette Street in St. Ignace, MI, the venue provides an ideal setting for exciting, community-driven hockey.

Team operations will be led by Jeremy Pallot-Behling, who brings extensive experience in both hockey management and business operations.

“I’m super excited about the opportunity presented to us to join the MIHL and bring high-level hockey to such a great hockey town like St. Ignace,” said Pallot-Behling. “From our ownership group to the community—and most importantly, our players—everyone’s thrilled to be a part of the Saints family and showcase our fast-paced style of play. We couldn’t be more excited about our future.”

Scott Brand, MIHL Commissioner, added:

“The addition of St. Ignace to the MIHL family is a major step forward for the league. St. Ignace is a passionate hockey town, and under Jeremy’s leadership, we’re confident this will become a premier destination for players and fans alike. With its proximity to Cheboygan, Alpena, and another soon-to-be-announced northern franchise, we anticipate intense rivalries and a high level of competition that will energize the region.”

The Saints join fellow recent expansion teams — the Shadow and Wendigo — alongside established MIHL teams: Muskegon, Waterford, Detroit, and Alpena. Entering its sixth season this fall, the Michigan Independence Hockey League continues to deliver high-caliber Senior A hockey, featuring players with junior, collegiate, and professional experience. The league remains committed to fostering a competitive, sustainable, and community-centered hockey environment for fans and athletes across the state.

For further details, please visit https://mihl.hockeyshift.com.