West Michigan Sentinels Announced As Tenth Team For 26-27 Season

(St. Louis, MI) – April 22, 2026 – The Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL) is proud to announce the formal approval of its tenth (10th) member club for the 2026–27 season: the West Michigan Sentinels.

MIHL Commissioner Scott Brand shared his enthusiasm for the league’s newest addition:
“Our fans and league have been anticipating this addition for a long time. We are all looking forward to building a strong Muskegon and West Michigan rivalry. The Sentinels organization is a tremendous addition to the MIHL. Not only do they bring valuable Semi-Professional/Senior A experience, but they also operate a very professional and first-class organization.”

The Sentinels will call the Walker Ice & Fitness Center in Walker, Michigan home. The facility features seating for over 800 fans and provides a strong environment for both players and supporters.

“They checked all the boxes,” added Brand. “With a solid roster of experienced players, I anticipate the Sentinels being a competitive team right from the start.”

See the press release here.

Brand continued, “This brings us to a total of ten teams for next season, which was our goal. However, we currently have six additional applications under review, and the Board of Governors remains open to expanding to twelve (12) teams. Should we identify two more qualified organizations, we would welcome them into our hockey family.”

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

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