Season Summary
The Michigan Technological University (MTU) Huskies hockey team has had a successful season, finishing with a 23-15-2 overall record and a 14-8-2 record in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The Huskies advanced to the WCHA semifinals, where they lost to the eventual champion, Bemidji State University.
Offensive Performance
The Huskies offense was led by senior forward Blake Pietila, who finished the season with 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points. Pietila was named to the All-WCHA First Team and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey.
Other key contributors to the Huskies offense included sophomore forward Reid Sturos (16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points) and junior forward Nolan Volcan (15 goals, 18 assists, 33 points).
Defensive Performance
The Huskies defense was led by senior captain Colin Swoyer, who finished the season with a +15 plus/minus rating. Swoyer was named to the All-WCHA Second Team and was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top goaltender in college hockey.
Other key contributors to the Huskies defense included junior defenseman Rylan Warner (+12 plus/minus rating) and sophomore defenseman Keegan Ford (+10 plus/minus rating).
Goaltending Performance
The Huskies goaltending was led by senior goaltender Blake Pietila, who finished the season with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. Pietila was named to the All-WCHA Third Team.
Other key contributors to the Huskies goaltending included junior goaltender Hunter Hampton (3.00 goals-against average, .905 save percentage) and sophomore goaltender Keenan Rancier (3.25 goals-against average, .890 save percentage).
Season Highlights
The Huskies had several highlights during the season, including:
- Defeating rival Ferris State University 5-2 in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game
- Winning the regular season series against Northern Michigan University
- Advancing to the WCHA semifinals
- Having three players named to All-WCHA teams
Season Lowlights
The Huskies also had some lowlights during the season, including:
- Losing to Bemidji State University in the WCHA semifinals
- Finishing with a losing record in non-conference play
- Allowing 10 goals in a game against Minnesota State University, Mankato
Future Outlook
The Huskies are expected to be a contender for the WCHA title next season. The team returns a strong core of players, including Pietila, Sturos, Volcan, Swoyer, and Warner. The Huskies also have a talented recruiting class coming in, which should help them compete for a national championship.
| Player | Position | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Pietila | Forward | 18 | 25 | 43 |
| Reid Sturos | Forward | 16 | 19 | 35 |
| Nolan Volcan | Forward | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| Colin Swoyer | Defenseman | 4 | 16 | 20 |
| Rylan Warner | Defenseman | 3 | 9 | 12 |
| Keegan Ford | Defenseman | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Blake Pietila | Goaltender | 2.50 | .917 | |
| Hunter Hampton | Goaltender | 3.00 | .905 | |
| Keenan Rancier | Goaltender | 3.25 | .890 |
Offensive Stats
Scored 136:64 Goals For and Against Per Game (GF:GA)
Scored power play percentage: 28.2%
Penalty kill percentage: 75.0%
Face-off win percentage: 52.5%
Defensive Stats
Allowed 136:64 Goals For and Against Per Game (GF:GA)
Penalty kill percentage: 75.0%
Blocked shots per game: 12.7
Hits per game: 27.3
Special Teams Stats
Power play percentage: 28.2%
Penalty kill percentage: 75.0%
Individual Stats
Goals: Blake Pietila (18)
Assists: Blake Pietila (25)
Points: Blake Pietila (43)
Plus/minus: Colin Swoyer (+15)
*Penalty minutes: Nolan Volcan (58)
