Huskies Gear Up for Thrilling 58th Great Lakes Invitational Showdown with WMU!

58TH GLI
• Michigan Tech is overseeing the 58th annual Great Lakes Invitational at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on December 29-30.
• The Huskies will face No. 6 Western Michigan in the first semifinal at 3:37 p.m. on Sunday.
• No. 1 Michigan State will compete against Northern Michigan in the second semifinal at 7:07 p.m.
• The GLI Championship is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. on Monday.
• The GLI Third Place match will commence at 3:37 p.m. on the second day.
• This marks the 18th occasion in GLI history featuring four Michigan-based institutions.
 
GLI HISTORY
• The Great Lakes Invitational was initially held in 1965 following a concept developed by Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, Olympia Stadium General Manager Lincoln Cavalieri, and Detroit Red Wings Scout Jack Paterson.
• The tournament has taken place at various venues including Olympia Stadium (1965-78), Joe Louis Arena (1979–2012, 2014–16), Comerica Park (2013), and Little Caesars Arena (2018-19). The 2020 GLI was canceled due to COVID-19, and a showcase-style event was hosted instead in 2021. The 2022 edition was the inaugural event at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.
• Michigan Tech has secured the GLI title 12 times out of 57 tournaments and is the reigning champion of the MacInnes Cup.
• Michigan State holds 12 GLI championships in 49 tournaments.
• Western Michigan triumphed in the inaugural GLI at Van Andel Arena in 2022 and will make its seventh overall appearance, having won the tournament four times.
• Northern Michigan will also compete for its seventh time, the first since 2015.
 
TICKETS
• Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and DeVos Performance Hall Box Office.
• Pricing is determined on a daily basis and tickets will be issued via a mobile device. On-glass tickets are priced at $75, lower bowl sections at $50 and $40, and student tickets at $15.50. Upper-level tickets are available for $30. Ticket prices are subject to alteration and additional fees may apply.
• Michigan Tech’s student section is 124, while the Pep Band will be located in section 225.
 
TV6 & FOX-UP COVERAGE
• TV6 and FOX-UP will broadcast all four matches and stream the games at uppermichiganssource.com. The first semifinal will be shown on TV6, with the remaining matches airing on FOX-UP.
• Mark Evans and Dave Ellis will provide commentary for all the excitement, with Zak McClellan (rink side) and Kevin McNulty (intermission) also contributing.

• WLUC Marquette, MI (TV6 shows Tech-WMU, all others on FoxUP)
• WILX Lansing, MI (Day 1 10.2 MeTV,  Day 2 10.1 NBC)
• KCRG Cedar Rapids, IA (all games on 9.2)
• KBJR Duluth, MN (all games on 6.3 My9)
• KTTC Rochester, MN (all games on 10.2 CW)
• KEYC Mankato, MN (all games on 7.3 Circle)
• WFSB Hartford, CT WOIO Cleveland, OH
• Palmetto Sports Network, serving the state of South Carolina.

ON THE RADIO
• Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ broadcasts every Michigan Tech hockey match.
• Listeners can tune in live on the radio at Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ, online at TheMix93.com or Pasty.com, or via their preferred radio streaming app.
• Dirk Hembroff will announce all the action in his 23rd year behind the microphone.
 
WATCH THE GAMES
• All Michigan Tech contests at the GLI will be live-streamed on Midco Sports Plus 2.
• Fans can stream live and on-demand content on their home televisions, computers, tablets, and mobile devices through Midco Sports Plus.
• The app is accessible via mobile/tablet apps (iOS and Android), connected TV device applications (AppleTV, FireTV, and Roku), and a web-based browser interface.
 
INTERNATIONAL STREAMING
• Viewers outside of the United States and Canada can stream all CCHA matches via a collaboration with Stretch Internet at
• The pricing structure corresponds to Midco Sports Plus and is only available to international viewers.
 
TECH GLI NOTES
• Tech has a historical record of 50-61-3 at the GLI.
• Tech holds 12 championships, the most recent being in 2023, 2019, and 2012.
• The Huskies finished in second place on 17 occasions, third place 12 times, and fourth place 16 times.
• Tech has participated in the GLI Championship Game in eight of the last ten tournaments.
 
LAST GLI MEETING
• Western Michigan – The Broncos overcame the Huskies 8-1 in the 2022 semifinal, marking the first GLI match at Van Andel Arena. WMU subsequently captured the MacInnes Cup.
• Michigan State – Tech and MSU ended in a 3-3 tie during the 2023 GLI Championship Game, with the Huskies winning the shootout 1-0 to seize the MacInnes Cup.
• Northern Michigan – NMU triumphed over Tech 8-1 in the 1998 GLI Third Place Game, with Ryan Riipi scoring two goals and providing an assist for the Wildcats.
 
SERIES INFO
• WMU – Tech maintains an 11-5-1 record against the Broncos in a series that traces back to 1977. The Huskies are 2-3-0 in neutral site encounters. The last victory over WMU occurred in the 2012 GLI Championships.
• MSU – The Huskies have an all-time record of 86-75-5 against the Spartans, and 9-23-2 in GLI encounters. Tech is undefeated in 11 of their last 32 meetings. Tech has won six consecutive GLI contests against the Spartans. Tech holds a 1-5-1 record against MSU in GLI finals, with its sole win in 1971.
• NMU – Tech’s record against NMU stands at 84-81-15 since 1979. The Huskies are 4-1-0 against the Wildcats on neutral ground and 2-1-0 in the GLI, with all three games being third-place matches.
 
LEPPA AT WJC
• Freshman Tom Leppa has been selected for Team Finland’s roster for the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship in Ottawa, from December 26 to January 5.
• Hailing from Kauniainen, Finland, he has participated in all 16 games for the Huskies this season as a center. He has registered two goals and three assists, boasting a plus-2 rating while placing second on the team with 111 faceoff victories.
• Leppa represented Finland at the 2022 IIHF U-18 World Championship, making appearances in five matches. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Finland.
• Max Koskipirtti (Finland – 2023), Blake Pietila (USA – 2013), Liam Garvey (USA – 1993), Pat Mikesch (USA – 1993), Jim Storm (USA – 1991), and Damian Rhodes (USA – 1988) are the last five Huskies to have competed in the WJC.
 
POINT STREAKS
• Three Game – Logan Morrell – 5 goals, 1 assist
• Three Game – Isaac Gordon – 1 goal, 4 assists
• Two Game – Stiven Sardarian – 1 goal, 5 assists
• Two Game – Chase Pietila – 2 assists
 
STATISTICAL NOTES
• Stiven Sardarian leads the CCHA with eight goals and ranks second in total points with 19. He stands eighth nationally with three game-winning goals and is positioned 17th in points.
• Logan Morrell is at the forefront of the CCHA in goals per game (0.58) and ranks sixth with seven goals, placing eighth among NCAA newcomers.He holds the second position in the CCHA regarding faceoff winning percentage (.591).
• Isaac Gordon is ranked second in the CCHA for shots on target (58).
• Kasper Vaharautio is third in the country with 42 blocked shots.
• The Huskies are ranked third nationally and are at the top of the CCHA in terms of the fewest penalty minutes per game (6:22).
• Tech stands second in the CCHA for shots on goal per game (31.56).
• Tech is 15th nationally in defensive scoring, permitting 2.25 goals per match.
 
NEW GOALTENDER
• Ryan Manzella joined the Huskies prior to the GLI.
• He participated in 11 games this season with Sioux Falls in the USHL, achieving a 2.40 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.
• Manzella competed in 34 matches for the St. Cloud Norsemen in the NAHL during the 2023-24 season, maintaining a 2.62 goals-against average and .904 save percentage.
 
LAST TIME OUT
• The Huskies secured 4-of-6 CCHA points against Bemidji State on Dec. 13-14.
• The teams concluded Friday with a 2-2 tie, with the Beavers taking the extra point in the shootout.
• Tech triumphed 9-5 on Saturday, with all nine goals scored in the last two periods.
• Logan Morrell netted two goals in each outing. Stiven Sardarian contributed a goal and four assists on Saturday, while Elias Jansson added two goals and an assist, along with Max Koskipirtti, Isaac Gordon, Alex Nordstrom, and Jack Works also finding the net.
• The last occasion Tech scored nine goals was Feb. 20, 2016, when they won 9-2 against Bemidji State at the Sanford Center.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
• Tech heads West for the Coachella Valley Cactus Cup next weekend (Jan. 3-4).
• The Huskies face off against No. 10 UMass Lowell in the early semifinal, with Omaha and Holy Cross meeting in the later semifinal.
• Tech returns home to resume CCHA competition on Jan. 10-11, hosting Lake Superior State for their only encounter of the regular season.
 
CCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
• Dec. 16 – Stiven Sardarian – CCHA Forward of the Week
• Dec. 16 – Logan Morrell – CCHA Rookie of the Week
• Dec. 2 – Derek Mullahy – CCHA Goaltender of the Week
• Nov. 11 – Stiven Sardarian – CCHA Forward of the Week
• Nov. 4 – Max Koskipirtti – CCHA Forward of the Week
• Oct. 14 – Max Vayrynen – CCHA Goaltender of the Week
• Oct. 14 – Elias Jansson – CCHA Rookie of the Week
 
SUPERIOR PLAYER OF THE GAME
• Superior National Bank backs the Superior Player of the Game.
• Oct. 5 – Elias Jansson – Two goals
• Oct. 11 – Max Koskipirtti – 1 goal, 1 assist
• Oct. 12 – Max Vayrynen – 15 saves
• Oct. 25 – Stiven Sardarian – 1 goal
• Oct. 26 – Derek Mullahy – 31 saves
• Nov. 1 – Derek Mullay – Shutout, 34 saves
• Nov. 2 – Max Koskipirtti – 1 goal, 2 assists
• Nov. 8 – Stiven Sardarian – 1 goal, 1 assist
• Nov. 9 – Derek Mullay – career high 36 saves
• Nov. 22 – Rylan Brown – scored first NCAA goal
• Nov. 23 – Jack Works – scored lone goal
• Nov. 29 – Viktor Hurtig – scored first Tech goal
• Nov. 30 – Isaac Gordon – tied the game
• Dec. 6 – Rylan Brown – 1 goal, 1 assist
• Dec. 7 – Logan Morrell – 1 goal
• Dec. 13 – Logan Morrell – 2 goals
• Dec. 14 – Stiven Sardarian – 5 points
 
CAPTAINS
• Senior Jack Works has been appointed captain of the 2024-25 Huskies.
• Junior Trevor Russell along with sophomores Isaac Gordon and Chase Pietila are also part of the leadership group as alternate captains.
 
CCHA PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
• Sophomore Isaac Gordon was acknowledged as the CCHA Preseason Player of the Year as per the votes of the league’s coaches.
• He was tied with Lucas Wahlin from St. Thomas and Connor Milburn from Lake Superior State for this distinction.
 
PRESEASON ALL-CCHA
Sophomore forward Isaac Gordon and sophomore defenseman Chase Pietila were both selected to the Preseason All-CCHA Team by the coaches and media.
 
COACH SHAWHAN
• Joe Shawhan is currently in his eighth season as Head Coach, boasting a record of 147-108-28.
• He received the title of 2023 CCHA Coach of the Year and is among only two coaches to lead four different Michigan Tech teams to the NCAA Tournament.
• He marked his 100th career victory at Bowling Green on November 5, 2022, and ranks second in coaching wins at Tech.
• Shawhan’s tally of 22 wins in his inaugural season is tied for the most by a rookie Michigan Tech coach. Jim Nahrgang also achieved 22 wins in 1982-83.
• He was appointed as the 22nd head coach of the Huskies on May 30, 2017, after previously serving three seasons as an assistant coach for Tech.
 
ASSISTANT COACHES
• Former captain Raymond Brice was appointed as an assistant coach during the offseason.
• Brice is now part of the coaching staff alongside Tyler Shelast (fourth season) and Jordy Murray (third season).
 
PRESEASON CCHA COACHES POLL
• Tech was placed in a tie for second in the Preseason CCHA Coaches’ Poll with Bemidji State, with the Beavers receiving one additional first-place vote.
• Minnesota State, Bowling Green, Lake Superior State, Augustana, and Ferris State complete the top eight, with Northern Michigan positioned ninth.
 
PRESEASON CCHA MEDIA POLL
• Tech was ranked fourth in the Preseason CCHA Media Poll, following Bemidji State, St. Thomas, and Minnesota State.
• Bowling Green, Lake Superior State, Augustana, Northern Michigan, and Ferris State filled the remainder of the poll.
 
NON-CONFERENCE
• Tech achieved a sweep over Alaska on Oct. 11-12 with two 2-1 wins.
• Clarkson defeated Tech on Oct. 25-26 in Houghton.
• The 58th GLI is scheduled for Dec. 29-30 featuring Western Michigan, Michigan State, and Northern Michigan.
• The final non-conference games will take place at the Coachella Valley Cactus Cup on Jan. 3-4 in Palm Springs, California. Tech will face UMass Lowell and is set to meet either Omaha or Holy Cross the following day.
 
NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
• Matthew Campbell – Philadelphia Flyers (2024)
• Isaac Gordon – Columbus Blue Jackets (2024)
• Viktor Hurtig – New Jersey (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Chase Pietila – Pittsburgh Penguins (2024)
• Trevor Russell – New Jersey (2022, 2023)
• Stiven Sardarian – Buffalo Sabres (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Max Vayrynen – Calgary Flames (2023)
 
NHL DRAFT PICKS
• Stiven Sardarian was chosen by Buffalo in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft with the 88th selection.
• Chase Pietila was taken by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft with the 111th pick.
• Viktor Hurtig was selected by New Jersey in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft with the 164th choice.
 
TRANSFERS
• Owen Baker participated in seven games in one season at Michigan State, registering two points with one goal and one assist.
• Viktor Hurtig played 43 games over two seasons at Michigan State, accumulating seven points with two goals and five assists.
• Derek Mullahy appeared in 30 career games for Harvard from 2020-24, holding a career 2.69 goals-against average and .903 save percentage, finishing with a record of 10-14-4.
• Stiven Sardarian competed the last two seasons for New Hampshire. Across 61 NCAA games, he has talliednine objectives and 12 assists
• Jack Works initiated his collegiate journey with 15 matches spanning two seasons at Denver. He registered one assist with the Pioneers in his NCAA introduction and was part of the 2022 NCAA National Championship squad.
 
FRESHMEN
• Tech has 10 newcomers on the lineup, comprising six forwards, two defensemen, and two goaltenders.
• Forwards: Tom Leppa, Logan Morrell, Elias Jansson, Philip Fankl, Ryder Matter, and Quinn Disher.
• Defensemen: Rylan Brown and Tyler Miller.
• Goaltenders: Bryant Lee and Ryan Manzella.
 
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTION
• Isaac Gordon – CCHA Rookie of the Year (2023-24), All-CCHA Second Team (2023-24) & All-CCHA Rookie Team (2023-24)
 
2023-24 RECAP
• Tech marked its third consecutive participation in the NCAA Tournament during 2023-24, and its fourth under Shawhan after clinching the program’s inaugural CCHA Mason Cup Championship.
• The Huskies concluded with a record of 19-15-6 overall, tying for second place in the CCHA with a 12-10-2 standing.
• The Black and Gold achieved a sweep over Bowling Green in the CCHA First Round. Subsequently, the Huskies narrowly triumphed over Minnesota State in the CCHA Semifinal and secured the conference tournament championship at Bemidji State.
• Tech captured the 58th Great Lakes Invitational, overcoming Alaska in overtime and achieving a shootout victory against Michigan State in the championship match.
 
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR
• Tech’s roster features players from five distinct nations.
• United States: 12
• Canada: 7
• Finland: 6
• Sweden: 3
• Russia: 1
 
HUSKIES AT NHL TRAINING CAMPS
• Arvid Caderoth – LA Kings
• Pheonix Copley – LA Kings
• Brian Halonen – New Jersey Devils
• Michael Karow – Dallas Stars
• Jujhar Khaira – Tampa Bay Lightning
• Jake Lucchini – Nashville Predators
• Logan Pietila – Pittsburgh Penguins
• Matt Roy – Washington Capitals
 
HUSKIES HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
• The Michigan Tech Huskies Hockey Show is broadcast weekly throughout the season at 10 a.m. on Mondays, with host Dirk Hembroff.
• The program includes regular segments featuring the coaching staff and current Huskies.
• The show is available live on Mix 93.5 FM and streamed on the TuneIn Radio app and online through Pasty.net or themix93.com.
 
BLUE LINE CLUB
The Michigan Tech Blue Line Club offers supplementary resources to the hockey program, supporting student-athletes in achieving excellence both academically and athletically. The annual membership campaign is currently underway.