Michigan Tech defenseman Chase Pietila looks up the ice with the puck during a game this season. He was named an Academic All-District student-athlete Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech Huskies defenseman Chase Pietila has been named to the 2024-25 Academic All-District Men’s At-Large team. The honor is selected by College Sports Communicators to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom.

Pietila majored in mechanical engineering and held a 3.54 grade-point average. He was named a CCHA Scholar Athlete and to the CCHA All-Academic Team. Pietila was named the CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year and to the All-CCHA First Team and signed a three-year NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins after his junior season. As an alternate captain, he skated in all 36 games and tallied 22 points with seven goals and 15 assists.

Pietila scored the game-winning goal against Alaska (Oct. 12) and had three power-play goals. He registered 68 shots on goal and blocked 32 shots defensively. Pietila led the CCHA in penalties (21) and penalty minutes (50) during the regular season. He was named the team MVP, receiving the Merv Youngs Award while also being honored with the Gitzen-Loutit Memorial Award as the Outstanding Defensive Player for the second season in a row.

CSC Academic All-America candidates must have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA in at least their sophomore year academically and athletically, and they must meet certain sport-specific playing-time requirements. The at-large program covers all NCAA-sponsored sports that do not have their own voting process.

The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes At-Large honorees in five divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, and the College Division. Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. NCAA, NAIA and College Division Women’s At-Large Academic All-America First-, second- and third-team honorees will be announced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The Men’s At-Large Teams will be announced on Wednesday, July 9.