The geography of hockey success follows the ancient axiom: “Go north, young man.” The higher the latitude, the greater the ice time on frozen waters. Michigan’s frosty Upper Peninsula is home to three Division I programs, the northernmost being the Michigan Tech Huskies of Houghton, in the heart of rugged Copper Country. 

The birthplace of professional hockey, Houghton also has a rich history in the college game. The WCHA’s MacNaughton Cup, USA’s oldest hockey trophy, was donated to the American Hockey Association by local mining baron James MacNaughton back in 1913. Michigan Tech won three NCAA titles in the 1960s and ‘70s under legendary coach John MacInnes, and currently plays in the on-campus arena that bears his name. Hockey generates the passion and heat necessary to endure the five-month winters of Keweenaw Peninsula. For youngsters raised chasing pucks on nearby Portage Lake, Michigan Tech hockey is the brightest light on the landscape.

“I grew up watching them — that was my childhood dream to come to Michigan Tech,” said Husky sophomore Raymond Brice, a Houghton native who bleeds black and gold. “It was the lifeblood of the community up there. It’s great for Michigan Tech hockey, been great to us the last couple of years.” 

Courtesy of Geoff Miller | Pictured: Houghton native and Tech sophomore F Raymond Brice

Brice, a fourth-liner who chipped in a critical goal last weekend to help the first place Huskies sweep Ferris State, veered down memory lane during his post-game interview. 

“I remember when the Stanley Cup came into town when I was a kid; that was in 2004,” he said. “It was the 100-year anniversary of the birthplace of professional hockey. In fourth grade, John Scott [Tech grad and a former NHL all-star] came to our class and talked to us.” 

Like all the rest of the hockey-mad citizenry, Brice was a regular at MacInnes Arena whenever the Huskies hosted a weekend series, hero-worshipping the local college stars of the day. 

“When you’re a kid, you watch the top-end guys, like Brandon Schwartz, Brett Olson,” he remembered.

Two months after Brice left Houghton to play junior hockey, MacInnes Arena hosted the greatest trophies in North American history. The McNaughton Cup was displayed next to the Stanley Cup for all the faithful Tech fans. It had been 42 years since the McNaughton Cup had been in Houghton, but Brice was five hours east in Sault Ste. Marie.

Even after making the Tech’s varsity, Brice still thirsts for knowledge about the region’s rich hockey history from a tenured professor. 

“There’s a guy up there named Doctor Sproule,” Brice said. “I’ve gone to a couple of his lectures. He does a lot of stuff, the birthplace of American Hockey. It was pretty cool.”

Despite Brice scoring his first goal of the season for his beloved Huskies Friday night — on his birthday no less — he was far from giddy. As a fourth liner, his position in the lineup is hardly secure. 

“It feels good right now,” said Brice, fresh from his post-game shower. “But in 15 minutes you got to put it away and get after it the next night.” 

A quick calculation revealed that the birthday boy allowed himself just half an hour to savor his fifth career NCAA goal. 

“Yup. A little time to enjoy the win, be proud of what you did, but you’ve got a job to do again tomorrow night; it’s going to be a battle.”

Ray Brice's first period goal for a 2-0 lead. #mtuhky #FollowTheHuskies pic.twitter.com/DZ0fZhV1jl

— Michigan Tech Hockey (@mtuhky) November 10, 2018

Brice and his fellow Huskies battled to another one-goal victory Saturday, then hopped the bus north to Houghton. His hockey dream to date has been a rich one, including a trip to the NCAA tournament as a freshman. But if Brice and his mates are going to get their hands on the historic MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular season champs, they will have to maintain their dogged run through the coldest climates in college hockey.

Tim Rappleye is the author of "Jack Parker's Wiseguys" and the forthcoming book: "Hobey Baker, Upon Further Review," set for release in November. He can be reached @TeeRaps.