Summit City Distillers Announced as Eleventh Team for 26-27 Season

(St. Louis, MI) – May 12, 2026 – The Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL) is proud to announce the formal approval of its eleventh member club for the 2026–27 season: the Summit City Distillers. 

MIHL Commissioner Scott Brand shared his enthusiasm regarding the league’s newest addition: 

“The Distillers not only have a history of winning, but they also operate to the standards and expectations of our league. With the addition of several regional rivals, along with the Findlay Force, we know Summit City will have an immediate impact on the MIHL and become a tremendous league partner. They bring valuable experience while operating a first-class organization.” 

The Distillers will call both PSM Icehouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Thunder Ice Arena on the campus of Trine University in Angola, Indiana, home during the upcoming season. 

“Both facilities are state-of-the-art venues and tremendous assets to our league,” Brand added. 

The Distillers are coming off a championship season and return a strong roster of experienced players. 

“With the success they achieved this past season and the roster they have assembled, we are excited to officially welcome the Distillers into the MIHL family,” said Brand. 

The addition of Summit City brings the MIHL to eleven teams for the 2026–27 season. 

See a statement from their Facebook page here.

“With three additional applications currently pending, our Executive Committee has determined that twelve teams are the appropriate limit for this upcoming season,” Brand continued. “There are several other qualified markets and ownership groups we will continue to evaluate for future expansion opportunities. At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring the long-term stability and success of our current member organizations before expanding further.” 

Summit City joins the Northern Michigan Warhounds, Motor City Muskies, West Michigan Sentinels, and Findlay Force as recent additions to the rapidly growing MIHL. 

For more information about the MIHL, visit mihl.hockeyshift.com or follow the league on social media.