EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The 2017 USA Hockey Youth Tier II 18U National Championships was held in East Lansing over the weekend. The five-day tournament was home to a brimful of storylines and unforgettable moments.

From closely fought games to national titles won, this year’s national tournament was one that won’t soon be forgotten.

In March, Red Berenson completed his 33rd and final season behind the bench of the University of Michigan ice hockey team.

The Wolverines’ in-state rival, the Michigan State Spartans, have brought an abundance of narrow victories and intense matchups throughout history, so it was admittedly strange when Blake Berenson, Lansing Spartans defenseman and Red’s grandson, donned his Spartans jersey for the first time.

“I know it kind of felt a little weird putting on a Spartan jersey for the first time, but it’s a team name, so he knows,” Blake said. “But he’s been so special with my hockey experience. I mean [Red] came in before our state championship game and gave these boys a motivational speech and I think that really helped all of us.”

Blake said playing for the Lansing Spartans has been the subject of many jokes between him and his grandfather.

“When I tell everybody that — around [Red’s] staff with everyone — they’re asking me about my hockey and I tell them I play for the Spartans and everything,” he said. “It’s just kind of funny how it works out, but it’s all right.”

In the 1A Division, the Junior Hurricanes’ Branden Stephens led the division with 11 points, while his six goals were second in the division.

Kyle Scott, James Stephens and Alec Struelens each had a division-high five assists in the national tournament.

In goal, Owen Roche recorded the highest save percentage amongst divisional netminders.

The Sno-King Jr. Thunderbirds’ goalie logged a save percentage of .948, which was roughly three percent better than any other goalie in the division. Dakota Ohmer finished second saving 91.5 percent of shots that came his way.

As Ohmer and the Junior Hurricanes won a national title, his four-win total was one win higher than Shawn Joneic, who had three.

The Maine Moose ruled the stat sheet in the 2A Division.

The top three goal scorers in the division were each from the Maine Moose and two other Moose were tied for fourth.

Cole Oullette led the way with six goals and Jackson Aldrich and Cody Doyon each had five.

Oullette was also the division's leader in assists with eight and points with 14.

Goalie Derek Fournier managed to save 92.2 percent of shots for a division high save percentage, and his three wins were tied for first in the division.

The Maine Moose scored a tournament-high 76 points, which was 15 points more than the New Hampshire Avalanche who were in second in the division.

Ted Randell, a forward of Team Copper Country, scored a division-high 11 points in the 3A Division.

Randell’s 11 points came from eight goals, which was tied with Jake Blackwell for first.

The Lansing Spartans’ Tim Carpenter notched the highest save percentage in goal of all the divisions with 95.3 percent.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.