Jeffers forward Benton Rajala looks to move the puck to a teammate while being defended by Cranbrook-Kingswood forward Nick Timko during a Division 3 state semifinal game Friday, March 7, at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. (Timothy Arricck/For the Gazette)

MARQUETTE — Several local skaters earned all-state recognition for the 2024-25 hockey season.

Houghton senior forward Jace DeForge and senior defenseman Hudsen Markham were both named to the Division 3 First Team along with Jeffers senior forward Brit Heinonen.

DeForge led the Gremlins with 20 goals and 39 points this season before suffering a season-ending injury just prior to the Division 3 Region 17 Tournament.

Markham paced the Gremlins’ back end with five goals and 22 points in 25 games. He followed that up with two assists in the regional tournament.

Heinonen led the Jets with 44 goals and 71 points in the regular season, then added three points, two goals and an assist in the regional tournament. He then scored a goal in the Jets’ 2-1 loss in the state semifinals to Cranbrook-Kingswood.

Houghton junior winger Connor Arko, Jeffers senior forward Benton Rajala and junior goaltender Kasen Helminen, and Calumet senior forward Nathan Londo and senior defenseman Ted Loukus, all earned Second Team honors.

Arko scored 16 goals and finished with 37 points in 25 games this season before suffering a season-ending injury that kept him out of the regional tournament.

Rajala finished with 28 goals and 56 points in the regular season, then scored a goal and an assist in the regional semifinal against Calumet. He followed that up with a hat trick and an assist against Houghton in the regional title game. He then picked up a pair of assists in the Jets’ 3-0 win over Sault Ste. Marie in the state quarterfinals.

Helminen backstopped the Jets to a tie for the Great Lakes Hockey Conference title. He went 17-4 in the regular season with a 2.19 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. He then gave up only two goals in the regional tournament before shutting out Sault Ste. Marie to help the Jets advance to the state quarterfinals.

Londo finished third on the Copper Kings with 14 goals and 23 points in 25 games in the regular season. He added one assist in a loss to the Jets in the regional semifinals.

Loukus was a co-captain of the Copper Kings and a leader on the ice in all senses of the word. Not known for his offense, he had just three goals and nine points this season in 25 games, he was a defensive stalwart.

Houghton senior forward Jay Halonen and senior defenseman Jack Rudak, and Jeffers junior forward Brogan Turner all earned Division 3 honorable mention.

Jeffers defenseman Blake Heltunen earned All-Freshman First Team honors. Jeffers forward Max Nordstrom and Houghton defenseman Gunner Flachs were named to the Second Team.

Heltunen did not score a goal during the regular season, but he racked up 21 assists in 25 games. He finally scored his first career goal in a win over Calumet in the regional semifinal. He also picked up an assist in the game.

Nordstrom scored eight goals and 28 points in 23 regular season games. He then picked up two assists in the regional final against Houghton. He scored his first career goal ina win over Negaunee on Nov. 19, 2024.

Flachs saw action in 22 games, scoring a goal against Novi on Jan. 4, and adding two assists.