Prospect Info: 2024 111th Overall - Chase Pietila (D)

[Buddy Bizarre]

Michigan Tech had a very good season last year, so I would assume that Pietila played a part in that.

A lot of tough NHL players have come from Michigan Tech. Randy McKay, Andy Sutton, Jujhar Khaira and John Scott immediately come to mind.

The diminutive speedster Chris Conner was also an impactful player while he was there.

Andy Sutton can eat a bag of dicks

 

[Hockeyville USA]

28 GP, 19 PTS so far to lead Michigan Tech's defense. Good 20 year old sophomore season for Pietila. Would expect another year or two for him there before he turns pro.

Cool fun fact is how big the Pietila Hockey Family is in Southeast Michigan, centered around the Howell/Brighton/Hartland communities in Livingston County. It's a Finnish name & many Finns immigrated to the Upper & Lower Peninsula of Michigan generations ago. Basically every Pietila hockey player is from Howell/Brighton/Hartland, Finland, & a couple from the UP.

 

[PensFutures]

Cool fun fact is how big the Pietila Hockey Family is in Southeast Michigan, centered around the Howell/Brighton/Hartland communities in Livingston County. It's a Finnish name & many Finns immigrated to the Upper & Lower Peninsula of Michigan generations ago. Basically every Pietila hockey player is from Howell/Brighton/Hartland, Finland, & a couple from the UP.

You dont say...

 

[Jacob]

Wonder if they're Laestadians based on the sheer volume.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Pietila is interesting bc he was drafted at 20 years old while in college. I think his credits completed and academic status can determine his UFA timing.

If he is on track to graduate early — Pens may need to sign him this summer to prevent him from going to UFA in summer 2026 even though he’d only have played 3 years of college at that point.

Could technically be UFA this summer if he finished his education but I doubt he accelerated that many classes/credits.

I could be reading the CBA wrong though.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Pietila is interesting bc he was drafted at 20 years old while in college. I think his credits completed and academic status can determine his UFA timing.

If he is on track to graduate early — Pens may need to sign him this summer to prevent him from going to UFA in summer 2026 even though he’d only have played 3 years of college at that point.

Could technically be UFA this summer if he finished his education but I doubt he accelerated that many classes/credits.

I could be reading the CBA wrong though.

Pietila is under Penguins' rights until 2027 (end of his 4 years at Tech) unless he graduates early and withdraws from school, then has to wait until that upcoming August 15th to become a UFA.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Pietila is under Penguins' rights until 2027 (end of his 4 years at Tech) unless he graduates early and withdraws from school, then has to wait until that upcoming August 15th to become a UFA.

Yeah I think if he was to graduate/withdraw spring 2026 after his junior season— he’s good to hit UFA August 15th of 2026.