2021–22 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season

The 2021–22 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 101st season of play for the program and 4th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). They represented Michigan Technological University, played their home games at MacInnes Student Ice Arena and were coached by Joe Shawhan, in his 5th season.

2021–22 Michigan Tech Huskies
men's ice hockey season
NCAA tournament, West Regional semifinal
Conference2nd CCHA
Home iceMacInnes Student Ice Arena
Rankings
USCHO#14
USA Today#14
Record
Overall21–13–3
Conference16–8–2
Home12–5–0
Road9–7–3
Neutral0–1–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachJoe Shawhan
Assistant coachesChris Brooks
Tyler Shelast
Jamie Phillips
Captain(s)Alec Broetzman
Alternate captain(s)Trenton Bliss
Eric Gotz
Colin Swoyer
Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey seasons
« 2020–21 2022–23 »

Season

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Michigan Tech joined with six other members of the WCHA to restart the CCHA for the 2021–22 season. The Huskies had a rocky start to their season; after sweeping their first weekend, the team lost at least one game in each of the next five weeks. While their opposition was nothing to sneeze at, Tech was unable to distance itself from the crowd and subsequently fell out of the polls. The cause for their inconsistent play was just as mercurial; some times the offense would not be able to get on track while at other times the goaltending wasn't quite up to par. One thing that did carry over from game to game was the defense, which did a tremendous job limiting the opposition's chances to the tune of less than 22 shots a game.

Near the end of November the Huskies looked to be getting themselves in order when they swept two weekends sandwiched around a losing effort against Minnesota State. The improvement in their play enabled the team to get back into the polls and remain there even after a less-than-stellar Great Lakes Invitational.

Tech was limited to just 4 games in January, due to positive COVID-19 tests around the college hockey landscape, but the team used its time off to great effect and went on a winning streak when they finally got back onto the ice. Michigan Tech went 8–0–1 through mid-February and rose up to 14 in the polls. More importantly, the team got into the top 10 in the PairWise rankings, which would guarantee them a spot in the NCAA tournament. The strong play in the second half also put the Huskies in a position to win the regular season crown if it could sweep its final four games, however, after going into overtime twice against Ferris State, their longshot hopes were dashed.

In the first CCHA tournament in 9 years, the Huskies were again pressed by Ferris State, needing overtime in both contests. Their special teams play saved their season as MTU scored 2 power play goals, 1 shorthanded goal and on a penalty shot. Their offense continued to sputter in the semifinal but they were also let down by a defensive breakdown in the third that saw Bemidji State score three times in under 5 minutes. The loss dropped the Huskies to 12 in the PairWise but that was well within the margin for at-large teams and Tech made it back to the tournament for the first time in four years.

NCAA tournament

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The Huskies received a #3 seed for the tournament but were a sizable underdog to Minnesota Duluth, who were coming off of their 4th-consecutive Frozen Four. Their chances in the game were dealt a serious blow just 3 minutes into the game when their leading scorer, and Hobey Baker Award finalist, Brian Halonen received a controversial major penalty for boarding and was ejected from the game. Afterwards the offense was never able to get on track; while Tech got several shots on goal, few were high-level scoring chances and the team were held off by a very strong Bulldog defense. The only saving grace for MTU was that Pietila kept them in the game and the Huskies were still just one shot away from tying the score entering the third period. As the offense tried to rise to the occasion, Eric Gotz lost the puck on a pass up the ice and the turnover was immediately fired into the Tech goal. The second Duluth goal took most of the energy out of the Huskies. While they did try to claw their way back late, they could never get the puck past Ryan Fanti and an empty-netter sealed their fate.[1]

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Carson Bantle Forward   United States Transferred to Wisconsin
T. J. Polglaze Forward   United States Transferred to St. Thomas
David Raisanen Forward   United States Left program (retired)
Greyson Reitmeier Forward   Canada Graduation (retired)
Tyler Rockwell Defenseman   United States Graduation (signed with Kalamazoo Wings)
Marcus Russell Forward   United States Graduation (signed with Pensacola Ice Flyers)
Cooper Watson Defenseman   United States Graduation (retired)

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Tyrone Bronte Forward   Australia 22 Melbourne, AUS; transfer from Alabama–Huntsville
Grant Docter Defenseman   United States 20 Golden Valley, MN
Michael Karow Defenseman   United States 22 Green Bay, WI; graduate transfer from Boston College; selected 126th overall in 2017
Alex Nordstorm Forward   United States 20 Hancock, MI
Marcus Pedersen Forward   Sweden 20 Stockholm, SWE
Matthew Quercia Forward   United States 22 Andover, MA; transfer from Boston University
Trevor Russell Defenseman   United States 21 Old Hickory, TN
Levi Stauber Forward   United States 21 Hermantown, MN

Roster

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As of August 30, 2021.[2]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2   Ryland Mosley Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-02-15 Arnprior, Ontario Carleton Place (CCHL)
3   Tyrell Buckley Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-03-01 Penticton, British Columbia Merritt (BCHL)
4   Chris Lipe Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-11-23 Rockford, Michigan Dubuque (USHL)
5   Brenden Datema Junior D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-03-18 Sterling Heights, Michigan Amarillo (NAHL)
6   Levi Stauber Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-01-16 Hermantown, Minnesota Danbury (NAHL)
7   Nick Nardella Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-02-09 Rosemont, Illinois Janesville (NAHL)
8   Trevor Russell Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2000-02-02 Old Hickory, Tennessee Aberdeen (NAHL)
9   Tommy Parrottino Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-03-03 Rochester Hills, Michigan Youngstown (USHL)
10   Jake Crespi Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-12-10 Brighton, Michigan Tri-City (USHL)
11   Grant Docter Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-12-06 Golden Valley, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
12   Brian Halonen Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1999-01-11 Delano, Minnesota Des Moines (USHL)
13   Logan Pietila Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-01-27 Howell, Michigan Dubuque (USHL)
14   Logan Ganie Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-06-28 Irma, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
15   Parker Saretsky Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-04-23 Wainwright, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
16   Marcus Pedersen Freshman F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2001-05-25 Stockholm, Sweden Malmö Redhawks J20 (J20 Nationell)
17   Justin Misiak Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 1996-04-25 St. Clair Shores, Michigan Austin (NAHL)
18   Alex Nordstrom Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-11-15 Atlantic Mine, Michigan Green Bay (USHL)
19   Eric Gotz (A) Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1998-04-23 Hermantown, Minnesota Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
20   Arvid Caderoth Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2000-05-14 Askim, Sweden Frölunda J20 (J20 SuperElit)
21   Blais Richartz Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2000-06-23 Menomonie, Wisconsin Lincoln (USHL)
22   Matthew Quercia Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1999-02-24 Andover, Massachusetts Boston University (HEA)
23   Trenton Bliss (A) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-03-16 Appleton, Wisconsin Green Bay (USHL)
24   Colin Swoyer (A) Senior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-03-31 Hinsdale, Illinois Sioux Falls (USHL)
25   Jed Pietila Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-01-13 Howell, Michigan Austin (NAHL)
26   Michael Karow Graduate D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-12-18 Green Bay, Wisconsin Boston College (HEA) ARI, 126th overall 2017
27   Brett Thorne Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-03-15 Bedford, Nova Scotia Carleton Place (CCHL)
28   Tristan Ashbrook Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-07-16 Manistique, Michigan RPI (ECAC)
29   Alec Broetzman (C) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997-02-05 Hudson, Wisconsin Madison (USHL)
30   Mark Sinclair Senior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1996-03-08 Dundas, Ontario Alabama–Huntsville (WCHA)
31   Blake Pietila Junior G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 164 lb (74 kg) 2000-01-27 Howell, Michigan Cedar Rapids (USHL)
35   Cayden Bailey Sophomore G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-09-21 Estero, Florida Lone Star (NAHL)
55   Tyrone Bronte Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-05-07 Melbourne, Australia Alabama–Huntsville (WCHA)

Standings

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Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL 3/SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#2 Minnesota State †* 26 23 3 0 2 0 0 67 115 28 44 38 6 0 178 60
#14 Michigan Tech 26 16 8 2 2 4 0 54 93 53 37 21 13 3 118 75
Bemidji State 26 14 12 0 1 1 0 42 83 81 39 19 20 0 118 121
Lake Superior State 26 13 13 0 1 1 0 39 69 64 37 18 18 1 107 104
Northern Michigan 26 12 13 1 3 0 1 35 86 99 37 20 16 1 132 136
Bowling Green 26 11 14 1 2 1 0 33 67 87 37 15 19 3 94 119
Ferris State 26 9 16 1 2 2 0 28 66 99 36 11 24 1 90 135
St. Thomas 26 3 22 1 0 4 0 14 45 112 36 3 32 1 61 168
Championship: March 19, 2022
† indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

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Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Exhibition
October 2 3:04 PM Northern Michigan* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan (Exhibition)     T 4–4   
Regular season
October 8 6:00 PM at #13 Wisconsin* Kohl CenterMadison, WI BSW Pietila W 5–2  8,550 1–0–0
October 9 6:00 PM at #13 Wisconsin* Kohl Center • Madison, WI BSW Pietila W 5–1  10,618 2–0–0
October 15 7:07 PM #17 Notre Dame* #16 MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, MI   Pietila L 1–2 OT 3,899 2–1–0
October 16 6:07 PM USNTDP* #16 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Exhibition)     L 1–2   
October 29 7:00 PM at Clarkson* #18 Cheel ArenaPotsdam, NY   Pietila W 3–0  2,539 3–1–0
October 30 7:30 PM at Clarkson* #18 Cheel Arena • Potsdam, NY   Pietila L 1–2  2,951 3–2–0
November 5 7:07 PM Lake Superior State #18 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila L 2–3 OT 2,610 3–3–0 (0–1–0)
November 6 6:07 PM Lake Superior State #18 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 2–0  2,429 4–3–0 (1–1–0)
November 12 7:07 PM Northern Michigan MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Rivalry) Fox UP Pietila W 5–2  4,460 5–3–0 (2–1–0)
November 13 6:37 PM at Northern Michigan Berry Events CenterMarquette, MI (Rivalry) Fox UP Pietila L 2–3 OT 3,847 5–4–0 (2–2–0)
November 19 8:07 PM at #20 Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, MN   Pietila W 4–3  2,278 6–4–0 (3–2–0)
November 20 7:07 PM at #20 Bemidji State Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN   Pietila L 3–4  2,142 6–5–0 (3–3–0)
November 26 7:07 PM Ferris State MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 6–4  1,894 7–5–0 (4–3–0)
November 27 6:07 PM Ferris State MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 6–1  1,982 8–5–0 (5–3–0)
December 3 8:07 PM at #2 Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, MN CCMk–14 Pietila L 1–2  4,522 8–6–0 (5–4–0)
December 4 7:07 PM at #2 Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN CCMk–14 Pietila L 1–3  4,494 8–7–0 (5–5–0)
December 10 7:07 PM St. Thomas MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 6–1  2,060 9–7–0 (6–5–0)
December 11 6:07 PM St. Thomas MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 4–3  2,589 10–7–0 (7–5–0)
Great Lakes Invitational
December 29 7:00 PM at #3 Michigan* #18 Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, MI (Great Lakes Invitational)   Pietila T 0–0 OT 5,800 10–7–1
December 30 5:00 PM at Michigan State* #18 Munn Ice ArenaEast Lansing, MI (Great Lakes Invitational)   Pietila L 2–3 OT 5,564 10–8–1
Regular season
January 14 7:07 PM at Lake Superior State #19 Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, MI   Pietila W 3–0  1,077 11–8–1 (8–5–0)
January 15 6:07 PM at Lake Superior State #19 Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, MI   Pietila W 3–0  1,175 12–8–1 (9–5–0)
January 28 7:07 PM Bemidji State #18 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 5–2  2,043 13–8–1 (10–5–0)
January 29 6:07 PM Bemidji State #18 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 5–2  2,333 14–8–1 (11–5–0)
February 1 6:07 PM Northern Michigan #15 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Rivalry) Fox UP Pietila W 5–1  2,744 15–8–1 (12–5–0)
February 4 8:07 PM at St. Thomas #15 St. Thomas Ice ArenaMendota Heights, MN   Pietila T 3–3 SOW 708 15–8–2 (12–5–1)
February 5 8:07 PM at St. Thomas #15 St. Thomas Ice Arena • Mendota Heights, MN   Pietila W 2–0  790 16–8–2 (13–5–1)
February 8 6:37 PM at Northern Michigan #14 Berry Events Center • Marquette, MI (Rivalry) Fox UP Pietila W 8–1  3,964 17–8–2 (14–5–1)
February 11 7:07 PM Bowling Green #14 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila W 4–0  3,017 18–8–2 (15–5–1)
February 12 5:07 PM Bowling Green #14 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila L 2–4  2,960 18–9–2 (15–6–1)
February 18 7:07 PM at Ferris State #14 Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, MI   Pietila W 3–2 OT 1,901 19–9–2 (16–6–1)
February 19 6:07 PM at Ferris State #14 Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, MI   Sinclair T 5–5 SOW 2,495 19–9–3 (16–6–2)
February 25 7:07 PM #1 Minnesota State #14 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila L 1–2 OT 2,607 19–10–3 (16–7–2)
February 26 6:07 PM #1 Minnesota State #14 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI   Pietila L 1–2  2,736 19–11–3 (16–8–2)
CCHA tournament
March 4 7:07 PM Ferris State* #15 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Quarterfinal game 1)   Pietila W 3–2 OT 2,016 20–11–3
March 5 6:07 PM Ferris State* #15 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Quarterfinal game 2)   Pietila W 3–2 2OT 2,272 21–11–3
March 12 6:07 PM Bemidji State* #13 MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI (Semifinal)   Pietila L 2–5  2,634 21–12–3
NCAA tournament
March 24 3:00 PM vs. #6 Minnesota Duluth* #14 Budweiser Events CenterLoveland, Colorado (West Regional semifinal) ESPNU Pietila L 0–3  3,138 21–13–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[3]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Brian Halonen LW 37 21 23 44 49
Trenton Bliss F 36 12 28 40 26
Tommy Parrottino F 37 11 17 28 8
Logan Pietila F 34 13 10 23 2
Colin Swoyer D 36 5 18 23 22
Justin Misiak C 33 5 14 19 12
Brett Thorne D 37 5 12 17 31
Tristan Ashbrook RW 37 11 5 16 8
Arvid Caderoth C/RW 37 4 12 16 27
Alec Broetzman LW 29 6 8 14 25
Rylan Mosley LW 36 5 8 13 18
Eric Gotz D 35 4 6 10 4
Michael Karow D 37 2 8 10 26
Nicholas Nardella F 29 1 7 8 6
Tyrell Buckley D 33 1 7 8 22
Logan Ganie LW 22 5 1 6 6
Parker Saretsky F 29 2 4 6 8
Matthew Quercia F 14 2 2 4 8
Tyrone Bronte C 27 1 2 3 6
Christopher Lipe D 34 0 3 3 6
Jake Crespi RW 21 1 1 2 2
Blake Pietila G 37 0 2 2 0
Mark Sinclair G 3 0 1 1 0
Grant Docter D 6 0 1 1 4
Brenden Datema D 2 0 0 0 0
Cayden Bailey G 3 0 0 0 0
Blais Richartz F 4 0 0 0 0
Trevor Russell D 18 0 0 0 2
Total 117 200 317 340

[4]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Cayden Bailey 3 3:28 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.000 0.00
Blake Pietila 37 2195 21 13 2 70 779 7 .918 1.91
Mark Sinclair 3 60 0 0 1 2 19 0 .905 1.97
Empty Net - 17 - - - 3 - - - -
Total 37 2276 21 13 3 75 799 7 .914 1.98

Rankings

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Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR 16 18 18 18 NR NR NR NR NR 18 20 19 17 18 15 14 14 14 15 13 15 14 - 14
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 14 14 13 13 15 13 14 14 14 14

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 24.[5]

Awards and honors

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Player Award Ref
Brian Halonen AHCA All-American West First Team [6]
Brian Halonen CCHA First Team [7]
Blake Pietila CCHA Second Team [8]
Colin Swoyer
Trenton Bliss

References

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  1. ^ "Michigan Tech 0, Minnesota Duluth 3 F". USCHO. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "2020–21 Hockey Roster". Michigan Tech Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Michigan Tech 2021-22 Team Schedule". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Michigan Tech 2021-2022 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  5. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  6. ^ "Four players return to 2021-22 Division I men's All-American teams, led by three-time pick Dryden McKay". USCHO.com. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  7. ^ "Six players earn All-CCHA First Team honors". CCHA. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "Four teams represented on All-CCHA Second Team". CCHA. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.