Michigan Tech has its first NHL draftee in several years.
Blake Pietila was drafted by the New Jersey Devils this past Saturday. The 18 year-old native of Brighton, MI went #129 overall in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Pietila, who will join brother Chad (a transfer from NMU) and cousin Aaron in Houghton this October, has spent the past two years with the United States National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI, the premier Under-18 team in the US. This past season, Blake registered 14 goals and 23 points in 60 games, while facing primarily older competition (the USNTDP plays a schedule of USHL and NCAA teams, in addition to competing in international tournaments). The 5’11”, 190 lb. left wing also helped the United States earn the gold medal at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championships.
Additionally, Coach Pearson has received a commitment from his first recruit. Jimmy Davis, a defenseman from East Kentwood HS (suburban Grand Rapids), has opted to forego a roster spot with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks to join the Huskies this fall.
Davis, a native of Caledonia, MI, is a three-time All State selection and two-year captain, who led the Falcons to the MHSAA Final Four this past season, where they lost a 3-2 nail-biter to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in semifinals.
Front Page image courtesy of USA Hockey
