Blake Pietila named First Team All-American
TAMPA, Fla. – Michigan Tech senior goaltender Blake Pietila has been named a CCM/AHCA All-American announced during Friday Night at the Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida. Pietila was honored on the West First Team.
Pietila, a native of Howell, Michigan, was named the CCHA Player of the Year, was a unanimous choice as an All-CCHA First Team selection, and was also honored as the CCHA Goaltender of the Year. He was a top three finalist for the Mike Richter Award and Hobey Baker Top 10 Finalist.
Pietila appeared in 37 games for the Huskies going 23-11-3 overall. He broke Michigan Tech records for shutouts in a season (10) and career (20) while becoming the all-time wins leader with 58—a record he shares with Bruce Horsch. Pietila led the nation in shutouts while ranking fifth nationally with 23 wins, seventh in save percentage (.924), and ninth in goals-against average (2.15).
Pietila was named the CCHA Goaltender of the Month for October, January, and February, the CCHA Goaltender of the Week seven times, and the Most Valuable Player of the Desert Hockey Classic.
Pietila played in 24 CCHA games this season, going 14-7-3 with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He led the league in wins, save percentage, and shutouts (6), while finishing second in goals-against average and minutes played (1425:48). Ranking third in total saves (625), he allowed two or fewer goals in 16 conference games.
As a junior, Pietila was named to the All-CCHA Second Team and was a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award. As a sophomore, he broke Michigan Tech records with a .934 save percentage and a 1.81 goals-against average. He has been named to the CCHA and WCHA All-Academic Teams. He received the team's Elov Seger Memorial Most Improved Player Award as a sophomore and Rick Yeo Unsung Hero Award as a junior.
Prior to Michigan Tech, Pietila played two seasons with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL. He earned All-USHL Second Team honors after the 2018-19 season when he was second in the USHL with 30 regular-season victories, ranking third in goals-against average (2.30) and fourth in save percentage (.912). He held a career USHL record of 46-30-3.
Six of the 24 All-Americans are being recognized for a second time. There are 18 players from nine different U.S. states and six Canadian players from four provinces. Three freshmen seven sophomores, six juniors, seven seniors and one graduate student make up the group. Minnesota State defenseman Jake Livingstone is the other CCHA player honored.
The CCM All-American teams are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association. CCM is the legendary hockey brand dedicated to the endless pursuit of performance by delivering game-changing, head-to-toe innovative hockey equipment to players worldwide.