With October beginning, hopes are high for this year’s hockey season. Michigan Tech is bringing on 18 new players, including ten forwards, seven defensemen, and a goalkeeper. As we welcome our new players, we must also say farewell to some old fan favorites.
Respected player and former Husky Chase Pietila has signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which includes a $255,000 signing bonus and a yearly salary of $860,000. The 21-year-old defenseman had the option to play at MTU for two more seasons, but instead opted to go pro and take his shot at the Stanley Cup.
Greg Christopher, director of video production and operations for the MTU athletic department, has spectated hockey at MTU for four years and had some insight on what made Pietila an excellent hockey player and a fan favorite. “The one thing that stood out about him was that he was one of the more physical players, maybe crossed the line sometimes but that was part of his game.”
Pietila’s physical playstyle made him a valuable asset all over the ice. “One of the top defensive defensemen we had but also one of the top offensive players we [had] as well.”
The Pietila family has been supplying Tech with excellent hockey players for many years now. Braden Pietila, cousin of Chase Pietila, will also be joining the MTU hockey team this season.
