Well Huskies fans, here we are at the end of the season. Congratulations are in order to the Quinnipiac Bobcats on their first title in program history. Back in Houghton, even though we know all too well what it’s like to end the season on a loss, let’s remember that you have to qualify for the NCAA tournament in order to lose in the NCAA tournament (even if it is in historic fashion). The end might be bitter, there are a lot of things about our team and community this season that warrant celebrating. This isn’t an exhaustive list of things I’m thankful for from this community, but I hope it serves as a small token of my gratitude.
First, I want to thank all of the former Huskies players that took the time to talk to me about the experience at Michigan Tech while Mel Pearson was head coach. It helped our readership gain perspective on what it was like for players on the other side of the locker room, both the good and the bad.
Thank you to David Johnstone. The courage he displayed to talk about what his life playing under the Pearson regime was, as well as coming forward with his mental and physical health struggles, continues to inspire me to this day. David, your Michigan Tech experience may not have been so great but I can assure you that our entire community is behind you and rooting for you at every corner.
Thank you to Zach Aufdemberge, the mastermind behind our wildly popular new Analytics with Augie articles. I’m not sure many in our readership truly understand what he does on a week-to-week basis — he analyzes InStat data, interprets it on graphs, creates the shot map gifs, and provides commentary all on his own time for the love of hockey and the Huskies. The value his articles have provided our publication this year is immeasurable.
Thank you Blake Pietila. To say he played his heart out for this program we all love would be a severe understatement. It’s truly hard to put into words what his stalwart goaltending has meant to the team and fanbase this year, but he was simply incredible this season. He holds Michigan Tech goaltending records in just about every measurable category and gave the team a chance to win just about every night. Watching him play night in and night out was simply a pleasure. Blake, many of us are holding our breath and hoping for you to come back for another season, but no matter what the future holds for you, the Michigan Tech hockey community wishes you all of the best.
Tech Hockey Guide staff, I can’t thank you all enough. All of you play a critical role in being sure our publication is as well-followed and well-loved as it is. From Tim Braun editing the podcasts, Nick Holmes writing the liner notes, Sean Brick for always editing on a dime, Old Dog for providing his commentary and Nathaniel Brose offering his national perspective, it’s truly amazing the time and love you all give into THG on a volunteer basis. You’re all part of the reason being Editor in Chief continues to be a labor of love for me.
Thank you to our readership and following. You folks have been simply incredible. You all make it so that writing for Tech Hockey Guide isn’t just talking about hockey — it’s about speaking to a rabid hockey community eager to support the team at every corner. So much so that friends of Tech Hockey Guide raised nearly $20,000 in less than 3 hours to secure an additional bus for Mitch’s Misfits to make their way to Allentown, along with a roll-over fund to send them on a future trip. That was a truly amazing show of support not only the team and our publication, but to the students and student athletes. That was a “pay it forward” moment to an absolutely insane degree and you have all blown us away with your incredible kindness. This generation of Misfits has certainly seen that, and they all seem eager to do the same once they leave Michigan Tech’s campus. That’s really what this is all about: supporting our team and community in a way only Huskies fans seem to know how from the grassroots level.
Lastly, thank you to Mitch’s Misfits. Trust me, it hasn’t been every year that the Huskies get to go to the NCAA tournament. Make no mistake, what happened in Allentown is far from the result you deserved. However, just the fact that you all showed up, rode 40 total hours on a bus, cheered your hearts out, and showed college hockey what being a Michigan Tech fan is all about was inspiring. That’s something continues to fill me with pride for the institution I graduated from 5 years ago. Just like in my days, you continue to be vehemently pro-Tech and not anti-other team. You’ve shown a brotherhood with your fellow college hockey fans that none can rival. You’ve continued to be a space where regardless of where you come from, what you believe or what you look like, as long as you show up to the game on Friday and Saturday in the black and gold, that’s your family. You have accomplished things that were far-off dreams to me not that long ago. This proud former President is looking forward to your sustained growth and excellence.
Michigan Tech’s hockey season may not have ended in a National Championship, but our community has a lot to be proud of both in ourselves and with our team. From the bottom of my heart, thank you everybody. Just as surely as the Huskies will take to the ice once again in October, we know you’ll be there to support them, you know we’ll be there to report on them and we’re all aware that our support of this team hasn’t wavered an inch.
Technologically,
Matt Cavender
Editor in Chief
Tech Hockey Guide
Matt Cavender graduated from Tech in 2018 and is a former President of Mitch's Misfits, serving two terms. Matt serves on the Tech Hockey Guide staff as Editor in Chief. He currently works as a Digital Marketing Specialist in Grand Rapids, MI
Matt: Great comments expressing your appreciation to many others and optimism for the future. Enjoy the summer and get ready for next season. Go Huskies!!!
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