Following a triumphant 2023-24 season, the question on every Michigan Tech hockey fan’s mind is whether the team will be able to maintain this success. From making the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year to winning the 2023 Great Lakes Invitational and the CCHA conference championship, the Michigan Tech hockey team is coming off its most successful season in recent history.
However, the offseason brought significant changes; a total of eight forwards, four defensemen, and two goalies have either transferred to different schools or signed professional contracts.
Despite this, over half of the 29-player roster is made up of returning talent, several of whom were vital to last season’s success. Forward Isaac “Flash” Gordon, who had a breakout season with 18 goals, is back alongside Jack Works, who contributed ten goals during the 2023-24 season. The defensive lineup is also standing strong with familiar names such as Chase Pietila, Trevor Russell, and Mathew Campbell on the roster.
Adding to the existing talent, 13 new recruits are filling the empty skates. The incoming players have a variety of backgrounds including Michigan State, Harvard, and even the local Houghton High School. Forward Elias Jansson stands out, scoring 57 points including 22 goals in the 2023-24 season. Defensemen Rylan Brown is also one to keep an eye out for, coming in with 59 points, including 49 assists.
Yet, the best indicator of how the Michigan Tech hockey team will fare this season is their performance against Northern Michigan during the exhibition match on Oct. 5. Winning the game 4-3, it was clear there were cracks in the foundation of the team. The defense, which has been largely unchanged from last season, was the strongest on the ice, while the forwards seemed to be struggling to find their footing. However, with three of the four goals scored by new players, and several impressive saves courtesy of new goaltender Derek Mullahy, it is clear that there is a lot to look forward to this coming season.
