Michigan Tech coach Bill Muckalt addresses forwards Stiven Sardarinan (77) and Isaac Gordon (16), along with the rest of the Gold Team during the “Meet the Hockey Huskies Community Mixer Saturday, Sept. 6, at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Friday night marks the opening of a new era of hockey for the Michigan Tech Huskies. Not only do they have 13 freshmen, they have five transfers, and nearly an entirely new coaching staff.

However, the new head coach has been here before, and he is happy to be back in the Copper Country.

“I’m not a big title guy,” said Huskies coach Bill Muckalt. “I love my time up here. I enjoyed the people, the kids, the team. I love the Mac (MacInnes Student Ice Arena), love the lifestyle up here. So, those things are all kind of like a trip down memory lane, for sure. But, coming to the rink every day is what I love.

“Every day we get to help people reach their dreams in the classroom, in the community, on the ice, and together, playing a sport that’s so special. So, yeah, (I’m a) pretty lucky guy.”

The Huskies are tossing themselves into the deep end right away, hitting the road Friday and Saturday to face the No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers, an old WCHA opponent now competing in the Big Ten. Muckalt loves that the Huskies are hitting the ice in motion.

“Oh, it’s a great stage,” he said. “We’re going into one of the most hostile environments in college hockey, the biggest stages in college hockey, against a team. For us it’s a challenge, but it’s even a greater opportunity for us to go in there, compete, and play our style, play our brand. “I’m excited every day. Now it’s game week. It’s here. I can feel it in the locker room.”

Muckalt and his staff have spent the last several weeks evaluating their roster, which includes a large batch of new faces, including some that are very familiar to Muckalt and assistant coach Benton Maass.

In goal, the Huskies have three returning netminders in senior Max Vayrynen, sophomore Ryan Manzella and sophomore Bryant Lee. Added to the mix this season is junior Owen Bartoszkiewicz, a transfer from Lindenwood. Muckalt has a sense of who is starting Friday, but has not committed to one at the time of writing.

Manzella was brought in last season during the GLI weekend, and went 7-6 with a 2.48 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. He also put up three shutouts.

Bartoszkiewicz saw action in 29 games last season, going 8-20-1 with a 2.57 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.

“I think Owen has been phenomenal,” Muckalt said. “Max has been great. Manzella’s had some moments and Bruce (Lee) has had some moments as well. So, there’s some really good depth there, and I really like the way they’re pushing each other right now in practice.”

In front of the goaltenders is where the Huskies have the most new faces. The Huskies return three defensemen in senior Kasper Vaharautio and a pair of sophomores in Rylan Brown and Tyler Miller. There are three transfers in seniors Joe Prouty and Jack Anderson, both from Lindenwood, and sophomore Luca Fasciano from Lakehead. Then there are four freshmen, Max Matthews, Kalem Parker, Reid Andreson, and Braden Pietila.

Of the new faces, Parker comes in with the highest pedigree as a 2023 sixth round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild. He played in the WHL for four and a half years, most recently with Calgary. He scored 24 goals and 146 points in 286 games.

“We have a nice mix,” said Muckalt. “Hopefully Miller will get cleared, so that’ll be a good addition. But, Rylan Brown’s been very good offensively. He’s dynamic, he makes plays. Kalem Parker, I really, really like his skating and his poise and presence.

“Obviously, really familiar with Jack Anderson and Joe Prouty, what they’re going to be able to do, shutting other teams down, and on the penalty kill, and they’re familiar with our style and system. They’ll be valuable leaders in the locker room for sure.

“Reid Andreson’s been on one of the power play units, (and) has looked extremely good. So, there’s a lot of competition up and down the lineup.”

Anderson and Prouty will both be alternate captains this season.

Up front, the Huskies return some top performers in captain Isaac Gordon, senior Stiven Sardarian, and alternate captain Max Koskipirtti, along with sophomore Tom Leppa, sophomore Elias Jansson, junior Owen Baker, senior Trevor Kukkonen, junior Lauri Raiman and sophomore Ryder Matter.

Gordon finished third on the team in scoring last season with seven goals and 26 points as a sophomore.

“He’s got a really good way about him, the way he conducts himself and carries himself off the ice, on the ice,” said Muckalt. “He’s an extension of our coaching staff. I think the younger players will look up to him. He plays the game the right way. He carries himself team-first.

“He’s a really good kid. He’s a good young man, and he’s fun to coach. He’s fun to be around the rink. He brings energy. Those are things that we like about him.”

Koskipirtti, a junior, finished second on the Huskies in scoring last season with seven goals and 27 points. But, it is what he does at the other end of the rink that makes him so valuable.

“He’s a 200-foot player,” Muckalt. “He’s going to be relied on on the penalty kill, the power play and down the middle, in face offs. He’s somebody that has demonstrated the details of a 200-foot game. He’s reliable. He plays the game the right way. He doesn’t cheat, and he seems real dependable in those areas.

“Those are things that we’re going to need for him. Obviously, he’s one of our assistant captains and provides leadership as well.

Huskies fans were treated to the magic of Sardarian from the start of the season, and by the time the year ended, he led the Huskies with 11 goals and 35 points.

“I think he’s got tremendous offensive instincts,” said Muckalt. “I think, not just for him in particular, but when you look at the macro picture, you look at wanting to play at the highest level or play in the National Hockey League, the details and habits of the game are extremely important. I really like the 1:45 or two minutes that he’ll touch pucks, and the creativity, really, is fun to watch. But, you’re on the ice for another 18, 19 minutes. What are you doing with those habits?

“It’s kind of like playing pool. The more you give up, the more you need to make. So, that’s something that we’re going to continue to work with. I think he’s shown some really good strides, but it’s more for his development too.”

The Huskies brought in one new transfer forward, sophomore Carson Latimer, along with nine freshmen. The first-years include Rylan Gould, Teydon Trembecky, Matthew Van Blaricom, Michael Cicek, Noah Reinhart, Reid Daavettila, Carson Birnie, Ryan Abraham, and Brayden Boehm.

Gould played four seasons for Swift Current in the WHL He played in 258 games, scoring 57 goals and 94 assists. Trembecky played for Victoria of the WHL last season, scoring 46 goals and 88 points in 67 games.

“I like a lot of guys,” Muckalt said. “Two that really have stood out so far have been Rylan Gould and Teyden Trembecky up front.

“I think Noah Reinhart showed some glimpses and flashes at different times as well, but those two guys have been really effective for us.”

Scouting the Golden Gophers

The Golden Gophers were picked to finish third in the Big Ten this season after going 25-11-4 last season, including a record of 15-6-3 in conference play.

The youngest of the Mittelstadt brothers, Luke, is serving as a team co-captain this season. His eldest brother Casey plays in the NHL for the Boston Bruins. His middle brother, John, is also on the Gophers.

Luke put up two goals and 18 points last season as a junior defenseman. He was picked to the Preseason All-Big Ten Second Team.

Game times

The Huskies and Golden Gophers will face off Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota.