The Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team is an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represents Michigan Technological University. The Huskies are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). They play at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Michigan.
The Huskies host and compete in the annual Great Lakes Invitational held in December of each year. The four-team tournament was played for the 50th year in 2014.
History
Michigan Tech has had a storied history from its inception in 1919, producing three national championships. The program has played in five different home arenas including the Amphidrome, Calumet Colosseum, Dee Stadium and the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
The program is a charter member of the WCHA in 1951 and became a national powerhouse under the leadership of Coach John MacInnes during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s.
The team has won three NCAA Division I championships (1962, 1965, and 1975) and seven Western Collegiate Hockey Association championships (1962, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1976, and 2016).
Conferences None (1919–51, 1958–59) Midwest Collegiate Hockey League/Western Intercollegiate Hockey League/Western Collegiate Hockey Association (1951–58, 1959–81, 1984–2021) Central Collegiate Hockey Association (1981–84, 2021–present)
NCAA Championships Year Champion Score Runner-up City Arena1962Michigan Tech7–1ClarksonUtica, NYUtica Memorial Auditorium1965Michigan Tech8–2Boston CollegeProvidence, RIMeehan Auditorium1975Michigan Tech6–1MinnesotaSt. Louis, MOSt. Louis Arena
Season-by-season results
Source:
Coaches As of the completion of the 2025–26 season. Tenure Coach Years Record Pct. 1919–1920 E. R. Lovell 1 1–2–1 1920–1921, 1923–1924 Elmer Sicotte 2 7–9–0 1921–1922 Mike Fay 1 8–3–1 1922–1923 Bill Murdoch 1 0–4–0 1924–1926 Leon Harvey 2 4–6–1 1926–1929 Carlos "Cub" Haug 3 12–10–3 1929–1936 Bert Noblet 7 44–53–8 1936–1938 Joe Savini 2 11–19–4 1938–1941, 1945–1948 Ed Maki* 6 35–60–0 1941–1943 Elwin Romnes 2 4–15–3 1948–1951 Amo Bessone 3 20–31–2 1951–1956 Al Renfrew 5 48–68–2 1956–1982 John MacInnes 26 555–295–39 1982–1985 Jim Nahrgang* 3 56–62–3 1985–1990 Herb Boxer* 5 66–129–8 1990–1992 Newell Brown 2 29–47–4 1992–1996 Bob Mancini 4 63–80–20 1996–2000 Tim Watters†* 5 39–116–9 2000–2003 Mike Sertich 3 25–69–9 2003–2011 Jamie Russell* 8 70–197–37 2011–2017 Mel Pearson* 6 118–92–29 2017–2025 Joe Shawhan 8 154–120–29 2025–present Bill Muckalt 1 23–13–3 Totals23 coaches105 seasons1392–1500–215 * indicates former Huskies player † Tim Watters was fired in November 2000 after a 1–7–1 start.
Pageantry Huskies hockey fans associate many traditional songs with hockey games. Some of these songs include "The Engineer's Song", verses other than the first to "In Heaven There Is No Beer" and "Blue Skirt Waltz" (stylized as "The Copper Country Anthem"). Student organizations associated with hockey fandom include the student fan section Mitch's Misfits, and DaWGs, the official group representing the Huskies Pep Band.
Arena John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena: (1972–present) Name: Student Ice Arena (1972–91), John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena (1991–present) Capacity: 4,200 Constructed: 1971 Dedication and first game: January 14, 1972 Renovated: 1999, 2009
Top single-game crowds 4,619 vs Michigan: February 7, 1976 4,563 vs Denver: February 4, 1978 4,551 vs Denver: February 3, 1978
Top weekend series crowds 9,131 vs Michigan: February 6–7, 1976 9,114 vs Denver: February 3–4, 1978 8,992 vs Michigan State: February 1–2, 1974
Statistical leaders Source:
Career points leaders Player Years GP G A Pts PIM 1972–1976 163 133 177 310 1971–1975 149 100 117 217 1974–1978 160 80 133 213 1989–1993 155 61 149 210 1978–1982 147 66 143 209 1980–1984 152 91 89 180 1992–1996 153 57 112 169 1973–1976 100 93 73 166 1979–1984 144 73 92 165 1953–1957 107 88 72 160
Career goaltending leaders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Minimum 30 games Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA 2012–2016 99 5614 57 25 8 187 10 .922 2.00 2019–2024 141 8164 76 49 11 288 24 .921 2.12 1964–1967 51 3160 38 10 3 130 2 .912 2.55 1961–1964 75 4500 52 22 1 198 6 .916 2.64 2005–2008 73 4085 26 33 11 181 5 .910 2.66 Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.
Current roster As of August 21, 2025.
Awards and honors
Hockey Hall of Fame The following Michigan Tech Huskies have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Tony Esposito (player, 1988)
United States Hockey Hall of Fame The following Michigan Tech Huskies have been elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Amo Bessone (coach, 1992) Paul Coppo (player, 2004) John MacInnes (coach, 2007)
NCAA
Spencer Penrose Award John MacInnes: 1970, 1976
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Lou Angotti: 1960, 1962 Gary Milroy: 1965 Jim Warden: 1975
All-Americans First Team
1936–37: Ed Maki 1950–51: Joe deBastiani, D 1952–53: Bob Monahan, D 1958–59: John Kosiancic, F 1959–60: George Cuculick, G; Paul Coppo, F 1961–62: Henry Åkervall, D; Elov Seger, D; Lou Angotti, F; Jerry Sullivan, F 1962–63: Garry Bauman, G; George Hill, F 1963–64: Garry Bauman, G 1964–65: Tony Esposito, G 1965–66: Tony Esposito, G; Bruce Riutta, D 1966–67: Tony Esposito, G; Rick Best, G; Bruce Riutta, D; Gary Milroy, F 1968–69: Al Karlander, F 1970–71: Morris Trewin, G; Bob Murray, D 1973–74: Jim Nahrgang, D; Mike Zuke, F 1974–75: Bob D'Alvise, F 1975–76: Mike Zuke, F 1980–81: Tim Watters, D 1992–93: Jamie Ram, G 1993–94: Jamie Ram, G 2014–15: Tanner Kero, F 2022–23: Blake Pietila, G
Second Team
1951–52: Joe deBastiani, D 1954–55: Jack McManus, F 1955–56: Jack McManus, F 1989–90: Kip Noble, D 2004–05: Colin Murphy, F 2015–16: Alex Petan, F 2021–22: Brian Halonen, F
WCHA
Individual awards
Player of the Year Bob Murray: 1971 Mike Zuke: 1976 Tanner Kero: 2015 Alex Petan: 2016
Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Geoff Sarjeant: 1992 Eli Vlaisavljevich: 2010 Tanner Kero: 2015 Jamie Phillips: 2016
Sophomore of the Year Lou Angotti: 1960 George Hill: 1963 Gary Milroy: 1965
Coach of the Year John MacInnes: 1960, 1962, 1966, 1971, 1976 Herb Boxer: 1988 Jamie Russell: 2007 Mel Pearson: 2012, 2016
Freshman of the Year Mike Usitalo: 1971 Mike Zuke: 1973
Defensive Player of the Year Andy Sutton: 1998
Most Valuable Player in Tournament Shane Hanna: 2017 Patrick Munson: 2018
All-Conference Teams First Team All-WCHA
1954–55: Bob McManus, G 1955–56: Jack McManus, F 1959–60: Henry Åkervall, G; John Kosiancic, F 1961–62: Garry Bauman, D; Henry Åkervall, D; Lou Angotti, F; Jerry Sullivan, F 1962–63: Garry Bauman, G; George Hill, F 1963–64: Garry Bauman, G; Norm Wimmer, D 1964–65: Tony Esposito, G 1965–66: Tony Esposito, G; Bruce Riutta, D 1966–67: Tony Esposito, G 1968–69: Al Karlander, F 1970–71: Morris Trewin, G; Bob Murray, D 1973–74: Jim Nahrgang, D; Mike Zuke, F 1974–75: Jim Warden, G; Bob D'Alvise, F 1975–76: George Lyle, F; Mike Zuke, F 1980–81: Tim Watters, D 1988–89: Shawn Harrison, F 1989–90: Kip Noble, D 1992–93: Jamie Ram, G 1993–94: Jamie Ram, G 1997–98: Andre Savage, F 2004–05: Colin Murphy, F 2014–15: Jamie Phillips, G; Tanner Kero, F 2015–16: Alex Petan, F 2016–17: Matt Roy, D
Second Team All-WCHA
1951–52: Joe deBastiani, D 1952–53: Joe deBastiani, F 1954–55: Jack McManus, F 1955–56: Bob McManus, G 1956–57: Jack McManus, F; Tom Kennedy, F 1959–60: George Cuculick, G; Gerald Fabbro, F; Paul Coppo, F 1960–61: Bill Rowe, G; Henry Åkervall, D; Lou Angotti, F; Jerry Sullivan, F 1961–62: Elov Seger, D; Gene Rebellato, F 1962–63: Gary Begg, D; John Ivanitz, F 1963–64: Scott Watson, F; George Hill, F 1964–65: Dennis Huculak, D; Gary Milroy, F 1965–66: Dennis Huculak, D; Wayne Weller, F 1966–67: Rick Best, G; Bruce Riutta, D; Bob Toothill, F; Gary Milroy, F 1967–68: Dick Sieradzki, D; Al Karlander, F 1970–71: Mike Usitalo, F 1972–73: Jim Nahrgang, D 1973–74: Rick Quance, G; Lorne Stamler, F 1974–75: Bob Lorimer, D; Mike Zuke, F 1975–76: John Rockwell, G; Gord Salt, F 1987–88: John Archibald, F 1990–91: Kelly Hurd, F 1992–93: John Young, F 1997–98: Andy Sutton, D 2003–04: Chris Conner, F 2004–05: Lars Helminen, D 2014–15: Alex Petan, F; Malcolm Gould, F 2015–16: Jamie Phillips, G; Matt Roy, D 2016–17: Shane Hanna, D 2020–21: Colin Swoyer, D
Third Team All-WCHA
1996–97: Andre Savage, F 2004–05: Cam Ellsworth, G 2006–07: Michael-Lee Teslak, G 2014–15: Shane Hanna, D; Blake Pietila, F 2015–16: Shane Hanna, D; Malcolm Gould, F; Tyler Heinonen, F 2016–17: Tyler Heinonen, F 2017–18: Mitch Reinke, D 2019–20: Matt Jurusik, G 2020–21: Trenton Bliss, F
All-WCHA Rookie Team
1990–91: Jamie Ram, G 1992–93: Jason Wright, D; Pat Mikesch, F 2012–13: Alex Petan, F 2013–14: Shane Hanna, D 2015–16: Jake Lucchini, F 2016–17: Angus Redmond, G; Mitch Reinke, D 2017–18: Mitch Reinke, D 2018–19: Brian Halonen, F 2020–21: Arvid Caderoth, F
CCHA Individual awards
Player of the Year Blake Pietila: 2023
Goaltender of the Year Blake Pietila: 2023
Rookie of the Year Kyle Kukkonen: 2023 Elias Jansson: 2025
Coach of the Year Joe Shawhan: 2023
Best Defensive Defenseman Chase Pietila: 2025
All-Conference Teams First Team All-CCHA
2021–22: Brian Halonen, F 2022–23: Blake Pietila, G; Ryland Mosley, F 2024–25: Chase Pietila, D
Second Team All-CCHA
2021–22: Blake Pietila, G; Colin Swoyer, D; Trenton Bliss, F 2022–23: Brett Thorne, D 2023–24: Blake Pietila, G; Isaac Gordon, F
All-CCHA Rookie Team
2022–23: Kyle Kukkonen, F 2023–24: Isaac Gordon, F 2024–25: Rylan Brown, D; Elias Jansson, F; Logan Morrell, F
Michigan Tech Hall of Fame The following is a list of people associated with Michigan Tech 's men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Michigan Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame (induction date in parentheses).
1961–62 Team (2012) 1964–65 Team (2014) 1974–75 Team (2016) Henry Åkervall (1990) Lou Angotti (1991) Garry Bauman (1992) Russ Becker (2010) Gary Begg (1997) Rick Best (1994) Tom Bissett (2014) Rick Boehm (2000) Herb Boxer (2009) Peter Buchmann (1987) Steve Coates (2018) Paul Coppo (1985) George Cuculick (1998) Bob D'Alvise (1989) Joe deBastiani (2000) Tony Esposito (1990) Gerald Fabbro (2005) Dan Farrell (2011) Peter Grant (2005) John Grisdale (1997) Fred Hall (2001) Bob Hauswirth (1994) George Hill (2001) Bruce Horsch (2007) Art Karam (1987) Al Karlander (1990) John Kosiancic (1994) Doug Latimer (1986) Bob Lorimer (1992) George Lyle (1993) John MacInnes (1985) Abbie Maki (1987) Ed Maki (1985) Randy McKay (1999) Al McLeod (2008) Bob McManus (2001) Jack McManus (1995) Gary Milroy (2004) Bob Monahan (1993) Bob Murray (1996) Jim Nahrgang (1989) Ken Naples (2003) Kip Noble (2018) Allan Olson (1991) Marcus Olson (1986) Ted Olson (2003) Stuart Ostlund (2002) Ken Pelto (2001) Brent Peterson (2016) Ray Puro (2004) Jamie Ram (2010) Damian Rhodes (2006) Bruce Riutta (1987) John Rockwell (2006) Elov Seger (1998) Bill Steele (2012) Jerry Sullivan (1986) Bill Terry (2011) Mike Usitalo (2008) Maurice Villeneuve(1988) Jim Warden (2007) Tim Watters (1997) Glen Weller (2005) Scott White (2016) Rick Yeo (1988) John Young (2008) Mike Zuke (1988)
Huskies in the NHL
As of July 1, 2025. = NHL All-Star team= NHL All-StarPlayers are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career. = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team= Hall of Famers