The student section lined the glass, chants echoing off the rink walls, as Howell Varsity Hockey took the ice on a busy winter night. The atmosphere inside the rink has shifted this season, with larger crowds and a visibly energized student section now the norm. According to students who regularly attend games, the program’s rise in popularity is closely tied to the team’s on-ice success and the excitement that has built around it.

“Yeah, it’s been a big success. They’ve really been putting the ‘belt’ on the old ice … when the puck gets thrown down, the Highlanders are always ready to go,” senior Angelo Bagnasco said.

For many students, that success has made hockey games feel less like routine school events and more like must-see matchups. As the Highlanders continue to win, fans say the product on the ice has become increasingly difficult to ignore. For Bagnasco, a longtime hockey fan, the support goes beyond school spirit. His connection to the sport itself has made Howell’s recent rise even more exciting to follow.

“I’ve been with hockey for a long time, way before I followed Howell. I try to go to every game. I love the sport. I love watching the boys get sendy,” Bagnasco said.

Senior Cooper Schmitt said this season’s appeal also stems from its consistency, as the team has dominated opponents while keeping games competitive enough to stay engaging.

“[This season] has been so wonderful, in one word, perfect. Winning by a lot, losing by a little. It’s wonderful,” Schmitt said.

Students also pointed to key moments in recent seasons that helped shift attention toward the program. High-stakes games, particularly in the postseason, introduced new audiences to Howell hockey and gave returning fans a reason to stay invested.

“Ever since the big game (the 2024-25 Division 1 finals), I’ve been noticing a lot more viewers, and I really love to see that,” Bagnasco said.

As the team’s success continued, so did its visibility. What may have once been a smaller, more niche following has expanded, with students noticing Howell hockey gaining recognition beyond just the school community.

“The team’s performance, win rate, just frankly the domination of other teams, really helps build the popularity of it all,” Schmitt said.

“I’ve seen sport commentators from the state level shout out some of our players, like Marco Wolf and Chad Pietila,” senior Anders Berntsen said.

With more attention has come larger crowds, and students say the atmosphere inside the rink has become one of the defining features of the experience. For many, watching the games is about being part of something louder and more collective.

“Obviously, they’re playing really well, a lot better than any other year that I’ve seen so far. The atmosphere in there is like no other,” Berntsen said.

That atmosphere is driven in large part by the student section, where attendance has grown through word of mouth and shared experience. Students say the social aspect of attending games, being there with friends, reacting together, and contributing to the noise, has made hockey a regular event on their schedules.

“The student section is almost overflowing with support. I almost couldn’t breathe. All my friends and I try to go to every game,” Berntsen said.

Outside of the rink, that excitement continues to build through social media, where highlights, rankings, and posts have helped expand the team’s reach and keep students engaged between games.

“I think social media plays a big role. You see so much nowadays about Howell hockey. You see them, not just on Howell’s posts, because we’re ranked. You see some hype around it,” Schmitt said.

As support has increased, students believe it has begun to impact the team itself, creating a feedback loop in which energy from the crowd translates into stronger performances on the ice.

“Well, it’s true with any sport, the more home support, the more fans you have, the better your team will play. I think we’re one of the best teams out there, and the fans are a big part of that,” Berntsen said.

With momentum building and confidence running high, fans like Bagnasco believe the program’s rise is far from over. What started as increased interest has turned into expectation, as students begin to look ahead to what the team could accomplish next.

“They’ve come to see the Highlanders freakin’ play, man, that’s what they come for. More people come to see a better team,” Bagnasco said, “I don’t want to say anything too crazy, but we’re really going places. We’re going to win the title this year. I know it.”