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2022–23 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season
Desert Hockey Classic, Champion NCAA Tournament, Midwest Regional Semifinal
Conference	2nd CCHA
Home ice	MacInnes Student Ice Arena
Rankings
USCHO	#13
USA Today	#13
Record
Overall	24–11–4
Conference	15–7–4
Home	12–4–1
Road	10–5–3
Neutral	2–2–0
Coaches and captains
Head coach	Joe Shawhan
Assistant coaches	Tyler Shelast Jordy Murray Jamie Phillips
Captain(s)	Arvid Caderoth Brett Thorne
Alternate captain(s)	Ryland Mosley Logan Pietila
Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey seasons « 2021–22 2023–24 »

The 2022–23 Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey season was the 102nd season of play for the program and 5th in the CCHA. The Huskies represented Michigan Technological University in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, were coached by Joe Shawhan in his 6th season and played their home games at MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Season

While the Huskies were coming off their best season in 6 years, the team lost a great deal of experience to graduation, including 5 of their top 6 scorers from 2022. As a result, expectations were low for Michigan Tech and the team was hovering around the bottoms of both preseason polls. The lack of offense was not too keenly felt as the Huskies were led by senior netminder, Blake Pietila and he turned in several stellar performances early. In October alone, Pietila earned three shutouts in non-conference play to stake Tech to a solid national ranking. By November some of the new players were being integrated into the lineup and Tech's offense began to improve. The biggest addition was the team's top prospect, Kyle Kukkonen, who led the Huskies' in goals for the year and was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year.

One of the biggest moment for the program in the first half was winning the weekend of last year's national runner-up, Minnesota State. The solid performance over the Mavericks was followed up by pair of sloppy weekends but as Tech entered the winter break they were back in the national polls.

Michigan Tech began the second half of the season with one of their worst performances on the year, losing 1–8 to Western Michigan. After the embarrassing defeat, the team recovered swiftly and won their next three games, two coming against ranked clubs, and finished by winning the Desert Hockey Classic. Pietila continued his outstanding play and carried the team to a 7–3–1 record in the second half against conference teams. Entering the final weekend of the year, the Huskies and Mavericks had a showdown in Mankato for the regular season championship with Tech needing both games to win the title. Pietila, who had set a new program record for shutout in 2022 with 7, opened the final series with his 9th shoutout on the year to at least temporarily lift Tech up to #1 in the conference. Unfortunately, the Huskies got into penalty trouble in the rematch and allowed 3 power play goals, losing 2–3 and letting the conference championship slip through their fingers.

Despite finishing 2nd, Michigan Tech was ranked ahead of Minnesota State nationally and were all but guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament so long as they got out of the first round. Tech was set opposite St. Thomas who, though they had made strides, were still a long-shot to beat MTU. Despite the difference in record, the Tommies played hard and gave the Huskies all they could handle. Pietila withstood an 18-shot barrage in the third period to allow Michigan Tech to escape with a 1–0 victory. The rematch was a completely different game as it was the offense that was key. Tristan Ashbrook and Kyle Kukkonen each scored twice to give the team two 3-goal leads. St. Thomas would not go away, however, and Tech was fighting for its life in the third when the Tommies came within a goal of tying the score. Pietila held in the end for another 1-goal win and a near-certain appearance in the NCAA tournament. The team's comfortable position turned out to be very important as Tech lost the conference semifinal to long-time rival Northern Michigan 0–4.

Michigan Tech returned to the NCAA tournament and were given a favorable draw in Penn State. The Nittany Lions had stumbled in the second half of the season, posting a record of 4–10–1 since January 1. As the game began, however, it was apparent that Penn State had come to play. PSU opened the scoring just over 2 minutes into the game and, though they didn't score again in the first, dominated the pace of play. Penn State broke the game open in the third and added three more goal to their total. Tech fought back with 13 shots in the middle frame but could not get anything past Liam Soulière. The game became comical in the third and the Nittany Lions scored 4 more times while Tech looked like they just wanted the game to end. When the dust settled, Tech had lost 0–8, the worst shutout defeat in NCAA tournament history. The horrible end marred what had previously been a very successful year for the Huskies.

Departures

Player	Position	Nationality	Cause
Cayden Bailey	Goaltender	United States	Left program (retired)
Trenton Bliss	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with Grand Rapids Griffins)
Alec Broetzman	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with Iowa Heartlanders)
Tyrell Buckley	Defenseman	Canada	Graduate transfer to Canisius
Brenden Datema	Defenseman	United States	Transferred to Canisius
Grant Docter	Defenseman	United States	Transferred to St. Thomas
Eric Gotz	Defenseman	United States	Graduate transfer to Vermont
Brian Halonen	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with New Jersey Devils)
Michael Karow	Defenseman	United States	Graduation (signed with Texas Stars)
Justin Misiak	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with Idaho Steelheads)
Tommy Parrottino	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with Idaho Steelheads)
Matthew Quercia	Forward	United States	Graduation (signed with Wheeling Nailers)
Mark Sinclair	Goaltender	Canada	Graduation (signed with Cincinnati Cyclones)
Colin Swoyer	Defenseman	United States	Graduation (signed with Pittsburgh Penguins)

Recruiting

Player	Position	Nationality	Age	Notes
Oliver Bezick	Defenseman	United States	21	Delray Beach, FL
Frank Dovorany	Defenseman	United States	21	Wausau, WI
Topi Heiskanen	Defenseman	Finland	20	Kuopio, FIN
David Jankowski	Forward	Canada	25	Dundas, ON; graduate transfer from St. Lawrence
Kyle Kukkonen	Forward	United States	19	Maple Grove, MN; selected 162nd overall in 2021
Trevor Kukkonen	Forward	United States	21	Maple Grove, MN
Michael Morelli	Goaltender	United States	21	Arvada, CO
Ryan O'Connell	Defenseman	Canada	23	Gloucester, ON; graduate transfer from Ohio State; selected 203rd overall in 2017
Evan Orr	Defenseman	United States	21	Shelby Township, MI
Kash Rasmussen	Forward	Canada	21	Cochrane, AB
Kasper Vähärautio	Defenseman	Finland	19	Helsinki, FIN
Max Väyrynen	Goaltender	Finland	20	Espoo, FIN

Roster

As of August 26, 2022.

No.	S/P/C	Player	Class	Pos	Height	Weight	DoB	Hometown	Previous team	NHL rights
2		Topi Heiskanen	Freshman	D	5' 11" (1.8 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2002-07-02	Kuopio, Finland	KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)	—
3		Ryan O'Connell	Graduate	D	6' 1" (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1999-04-25	Manotick, Ontario	Ohio State (Big Ten)	TOR, 203rd overall 2017
4		Chris Lipe	Senior	D	6' 1" (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	1999-11-23	Rockford, Michigan	Dubuque (USHL)	—
5		Tyrone Bronte	Junior	F	5' 10" (1.78 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	1999-05-07	Melbourne, Australia	Alabama–Huntsville (WCHA)	—
6		Levi Stauber	Sophomore	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	2000-01-16	Hermantown, Minnesota	Danbury (NAHL)	—
7		Nick Nardella	Junior	F	5' 10" (1.78 m)	173 lb (78 kg)	1999-02-09	Rosemont, Illinois	Janesville (NAHL)	—
8		Trevor Russell	Sophomore	D	6' 2" (1.88 m)	197 lb (89 kg)	2000-02-02	Old Hickory, Tennessee	Aberdeen (NAHL)	—
9		Kyle Kukkonen	Freshman	F	5' 10" (1.78 m)	172 lb (78 kg)	2002-11-13	Maple Grove, Minnesota	Madison (USHL)	ANA, 162nd overall 2021
10		Jake Crespi	Senior	F	6' 0" (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	1998-12-10	Brighton, Michigan	Tri-City (USHL)	—
11		Ryland Mosley (A)	Junior	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2000-02-15	Arnprior, Ontario	Carleton Place (CCHL)	—
12		Frank Dovorany	Freshman	D	6' 0" (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2001-03-28	Wausau, Wisconsin	Odessa (NAHL)	—
13		Logan Pietila (A)	Senior	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	2000-01-27	Howell, Michigan	Dubuque (USHL)	—
14		Logan Ganie	Senior	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1999-06-28	Irma, Alberta	Spruce Grove (AJHL)	—
15		Parker Saretsky	Senior	F	6' 0" (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1999-04-23	Wainwright, Alberta	Spruce Grove (AJHL)	—
16		Kash Rasmussen	Freshman	F	6' 2" (1.88 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	2001-04-20	Cochrane, Alberta	Bonnyville (AJHL)	—
17		David Jankowski	Senior	F	6' 1" (1.85 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	1997-05-25	Dundas, Ontario	St. Lawrence (ECAC)	—
18		Alex Nordstrom	Sophomore	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	2000-11-15	Atlantic Mine, Michigan	Green Bay (USHL)	—
19		Kasper Vähärautio	Freshman	D	6' 0" (1.83 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	2002-10-02	Helsinki, Finland	Jokerit U20 (U20 SM-sarja)	—
20		Arvid Caderoth (C)	Junior	F	6' 5" (1.96 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	2000-05-14	Gothenburg, Sweden	Frölunda J20 (J20 SuperElit)	—
21		Blais Richartz	Junior	F	6' 0" (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2000-06-23	Menomonie, Wisconsin	Lincoln (USHL)	—
22		Marcus Pedersen	Sophomore	F	6' 3" (1.91 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	2001-05-25	Stockholm, Sweden	Malmö Redhawks J20 (J20 Nationell)	—
23		Trevor Kukkonen	Freshman	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	181 lb (82 kg)	2001-02-01	Maple Grove, Minnesota	Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)	—
24		Oliver Bezick	Freshman	D	6' 0" (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	2001-06-12	Delray Beach, Florida	Amarillo (NAHL)	—
25		Jed Pietila	Junior	D	5' 11" (1.8 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1999-01-13	Howell, Michigan	Austin (NAHL)	—
26		Evan Orr	Freshman	D	5' 11" (1.8 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2001-01-09	Shelby Township, Michigan	Northeast (NAHL)	—
27		Brett Thorne (C)	Junior	D	6' 2" (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	1998-03-15	Halifax, Nova Scotia	Carleton Place (CCHL)	—
28		Tristan Ashbrook	Senior	F	5' 11" (1.8 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	1998-07-16	Manistique, Michigan	RPI (ECAC)	—
29		Jack Works	Junior	F	6' 0" (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	2001-05-23	Yellowknife, Northwest Territories	Denver (NCHC)	—
30		Max Väyrynen	Freshman	G	6' 2" (1.88 m)	183 lb (83 kg)	2002-06-18	Espoo, Finland	Ässät U20 (U20 SM-sarja)	—
31		Blake Pietila	Senior	G	5' 11" (1.8 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	2000-01-27	Howell, Michigan	Cedar Rapids (USHL)	—
35		Michael Morelli	Freshman	G	6' 0" (1.83 m)	154 lb (70 kg)	2001-04-25	Arvada, Colorado	Maryland (NAHL)	—

Standings

Schedule and results

Scoring statistics

Goaltending statistics

Rankings

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 1, 13, or 26.

Awards and honors

References

1. "Michigan Tech 0, Penn State 8 F". USCHO. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
2. "2020–21 Hockey Roster". Michigan Tech Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
3. "Michigan Tech 2022-23 Team Schedule". Michigan Tech Huskies. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
4. "Michigan Tech 2022-2023 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
5. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
6. "Two Northeastern players repeat as first-team All-Americans". USCHO.com. April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
7. "Blake Pietila Named Player of the Year". CCHA. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
8. "Blake Pietila Collects Goaltender of the Year". CCHA. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
9. "Kyle Kukkonen Named Rookie of the Year". CCHA. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
10. "Joe Shawhan Voted Coach of the Year". CCHA. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
11. "All-CCHA First Team Honorees Revealed". CCHA. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
12. "Six Are All-CCHA Second Team Selections". CCHA. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
13. "CCHA All-Rookie Team Announced". CCHA. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.

• Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey seasons
• 2022–23 CCHA season
• 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey by team
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• 2023 in sports in Michigan