Blake Pietila (ice hockey, born 2000)

Last updated
Blake Pietila
Born (2000-01-27) January 27, 2000 (age 24)
Howell, Michigan, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
AHL team Cleveland Monsters
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career TBD–present

Blake Pietila (born January 17, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was named to the All-American team during his collegiate career with Michigan Tech in 2023. [1]

Contents

Playing career

After beginning his junior career with local Michigan teams, Pietila committed to Michigan Tech along with his twin brother, Logan. [2] Because he wouldn't begin his tenure until the fall of 2019, Pietila continued his junior career in the interim. He joined the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in 2017, first sharing the net with Jiri Patera. After a mediocre first season, Pietila took control of the cage in his second year and led the RoughRiders to an excellent regular season though they flamed out in the second round.

Once he arrived in Houghton, Pietila found himself relegated to spot duty as he acclimated to the college game. He appeared in 6 games as a freshman while Matt Jurusik served as the team's starter. With COVID-19 causing a severe disruption in the country, it was unknown as to whether Pietila would get a chance to win the job as a sophomore. After a delay, the college hockey season began in 2020 and with last season backup, Robbie Beydoun, having transferred to Wisconsin, Pietila was the incumbent in goal but had to battle senior transfer Mark Sinclair for the job. Despite the ongoing Covid problems, Pietila ended up playing the majority of the minutes and posted outstanding numbers for the Huskies. At the end of the season Tech had a chance to earn an NCAA tournament appearance, however, the team ended up losing the last 4 games and were left out of the tournament.

For his junior season, Pietila played all but one game and, though his numbers declined slightly, Tech had an even better season. Pietila set a program record with 7 shutouts during the season but his exploits couldn't help the Huskies overcome Minnesota Duluth in the tournament as his team was unable to score. In 2022–23, Michigan Tech had trouble scoring all season. As a result, the team relied even more heavily on Pietila but he up to the challenge. While breaking his program with 10 shutouts during the season, Pietila was named as the CCHA Player of the Year and a first team All-American. He led his team back to the tournament, however, the Huskies were completely dominated by Penn State and set a record for futility by losing 0–8, the largest shutout defeat in NCAA tournament history. [3] Pietila returned for a fifth season and was named as an alternate captain, an exceeding rare honor for a goaltender. While his numbers weren't quite as good as they had been previously, he got stronger as the year went on and led the team back to the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year. He finished his college career as the all-time leader in wins (76) and shutouts (24) for Michigan Tech. [4]

At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Pietila embarked on his professional career to end the 2023–24 season, by signing as an undrafted free agent to an amateur tryout contract with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL on April 5, 2024. [5]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLT/OTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2017–18 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 32131121,7258713.03.903————————
2018–19 Cedar Rapids RoughRidersUSHL47301342,79410752.30.912633———3.43.850
2019–20 Michigan Tech WCHA 60301851003.24.868————————
2020–21 Michigan TechWCHA2414901,3944231.81.934————————
2021–22 Michigan Tech CCHA 37211322,1957071.91.918————————
2022–23 Michigan TechCCHA37231132,17478102.15.924————————
2023–24 Michigan TechCCHA37181362,2168842.38.917————————
NCAA totals1417649118,164288242.12.921————————

Awards and honours

AwardYear
College
All-CCHA Second Team 2021–22, 2023–24 [6]
All-CCHA First Team 2022–23 [7]
AHCA West First Team All-American 2022–23 [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Miller</span> American ice hockey player (born 1980)

Ryan Dean Miller is an American former ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) mostly for the Buffalo Sabres. Miller was drafted 138th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. In 2010, he won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender. Miller was the winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history from February 2019 until March 2024, when he was passed by Jonathan Quick.

William Raymond Muckalt is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who was most recently the associate head coach at Michigan. He was the head coach and general manager of the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003. In 2016, Muckalt led the Tri-City Storm to its first Clark Cup during his first season as head coach and general manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Lerg</span> American ice hockey player

Jeff Lerg is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the North American minor league, most notably for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowling Green Falcons men's ice hockey</span> Ice hockey team

The Bowling Green Falcons ice hockey team is the ice hockey team that represents Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school's team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Falcons last played in the NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament in 2019. The Falcons have won one NCAA Division I championship, coming in 1984, defeating the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the longest championship game in the tournament's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey</span> Mens ice hockey team for Miami University

The Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio. The RedHawks are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), starting play in the conference's 2013–14 inaugural season. Prior to the NCHC, from 1980 to 2013, the RedHawks were a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) until the original CCHA disbanded in 2013. They play in Steve "Coach" Cady Arena at the Goggin Ice Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey</span> American college ice hockey team

The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). They play at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997–98 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season</span> Collegiate Hockey team

The 1997–98 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team represented the University of Michigan in intercollegiate college ice hockey during the 1997–98 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The head coach was Red Berenson and the team captain was Matt Herr. The team played its home games in the Yost Ice Arena on the university campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team finished second in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular season, lost in the semifinals of the CCHA Tournament and won the 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006–07 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2006–07 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in = October 2006 and ended with the 2007 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament's championship game on April 7, 2007, at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Michigan State won the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship, defeating Boston College 3–1 in the national championship game. This was the 60th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 113th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

Christopher Cale Morris is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cayden Primeau</span> American ice hockey player (born 1999)

Cayden Primeau is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the seventh round, 199th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Dryden Dowd McKay is an American professional ice hockey goaltender under contract to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). He is the son of Ross McKay, a goaltender who played one game in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers in 1991. After posting a shutout in a 1–0 win over St. Cloud State on October 8, 2021, McKay tied the record for career shutouts in NCAA DI men's hockey history with 26 career shutouts. He later won the 2022 Hobey Baker Award as the best NCAA men's ice hockey player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2020–21 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 100th season of play for the program and the 59th in the WCHA conference. The Huskies represented Michigan Technological University and were coached by Joe Shawhan, in his 4th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2021–22 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 101st season of play for the program and 4th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). They represented Michigan Technological University, played their home games at MacInnes Student Ice Arena and were coached by Joe Shawhan, in his 5th season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2021–22 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 78th season of play for the program. They represented the University of Minnesota Duluth in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season and for the 9th season in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Bulldogs were coached by Scott Sandelin, in his 22nd season, and played their home games at AMSOIL Arena.

The 2021–22 Northeastern Huskies Men's ice hockey season was the 90th season of play for the program. They represented Northeastern University in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season and for the 38th season in the Hockey East conference. The Huskies were coached by Jerry Keefe, in his first season, and played their home games at Matthews Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Halonen</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Brian Raymond Halonen is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey for Michigan Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2022–23 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 102nd season of play for the program and 5th in the CCHA. The Huskies represented Michigan Technological University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, were coached by Joe Shawhan in his 6th season and played their home games at MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2022–23 Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey season was the 54th season of play for the program, 27th at the Division I level, and 2nd in the CCHA. The Mavericks represented Minnesota State University, Mankato in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, were coached by Mike Hastings, in his 11th season, and played their home games at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

The 2022–23 Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey season was the 47th season of play for the program and 25th season in the CCHA. The Wildcats represented Northern Michigan University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. They were coached by Grant Potulny, in his 6th season, and played their home games at Berry Events Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–24 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season</span>

The 2023–24 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 103rd season of play for the program and 6th in the CCHA. The Huskies represented Michigan Technological University in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at MacInnes Student Ice Arena and were coached by Joe Shawhan in his 7th season.

References

  1. ↑ "Men's CCM/AHCA Hockey Division I All-Americans Announced". ahcahockey.com. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Hockey Commitments". twitter.com. June 20, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Michigan Tech 0, Penn State 8 F". USCHO. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Individual Records". Michigan Tech Huskies. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Monsters sign Goaltender Blake Pietila to ATO contract". Cleveland Monsters. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Four teams represented on All-CCHA Second Team". CCHA. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  7. ↑ "All-CCHA First Team Honorees Revealed". CCHA. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Two Northeastern players repeat as first-team All-Americans". USCHO.com. April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Player of the Year
2022–23 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by CCHA Goaltender of the Year
2022–23 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.