Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins/Wheeling Nailers: Logan Pietila
After the last regular season home game for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Logan Pietila sat down with Olde City Sports Network to talk about college, his rookie season, and more!
Before turning professional, Pietila played in the collegiate ranks at Michigan Tech for five years. Playing collegiately hones in on development for those players already going to the professional ranks, or those looking to turn professional. Pietila learned skills and playing style while at Michigan Tech. “Yeah, I think one of the biggest things is just details. I feel like coach stressed a lot of important details, so playing a two-way game is important to me, managing pucks, and those kinds of things.”
In his final two seasons at Michigan Tech, Pietila wore the “A” and the “C”. “It was awesome. I mean, anytime you can be called on to be a leader, especially at a big college like Michigan Tech, you know, somewhere I always wanted to go. It's huge, and it's a big honor. No matter if you wear a letter or not, you always try to lead by example, so I think even having the letter, it just kind of shows the underclassman, you try to show them the way, and you help people along.” While at Michigan Tech, Pietila dressed for 180 games, totaling 45 goals and 53 assists.
Pietila spent the majority of his rookie season with the Wheeling Nailers. He dressed in 69 games and tallied nine goals and 18 assists. He did receive call-ups to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and played in five games, notching one assist. Pietila speaks on what Head Coach Derek Army and Assistant Coach Mitch Giguere worked with him on during the season in Wheeling. “I think, you know, just trying to be on the right side of pucks and staying detailed, I think that's one of the biggest things. I mean, in pro hockey, being in the right spot at the right times is important, so I think trying to focus on the details is important.”
Pietila was signed to his first professional contract which was an AHL contract, in April of 2024 and joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an Amateur Tryout Agreement. During his ATO, he dressed in three games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. “It was awesome. I mean, you always dream about playing pro as a little kid, so being able to sign a contract, especially within this organization. A lot of history, so it’s just a really cool feeling.”
Handling pressure situations on the ice is essential for any player that is looking to hit the professional world of hockey. Situations such as close games, penalty shots, or overtime happen throughout the season. “I feel like that's just something you kind of learn to play with, growing up. You’re put a situations where you may need to succeed and to step up in big moments. I think, you know, just sticking with it, not trying to do anything different, just playing and doing what you do.”
Communication with linemates is not only good for the games that are played, but also good for team building and team cohesion. “You know, build relationships with guys off the ice and that helps going on the ice. I think communication is the biggest thing. If everyone knows the system, everyone knows the right details where to be, and it turns into a good play.”
Every player has their strong aspects of their game and weak aspects of their game. The AHL and ECHL are used to hone in on both and work on those aspects. Pietila touches on what his strongest and weakest are. “My strongest is probably just being a reliable two-way player. I feel like I can chip in offensively, but also play a sound offensive game, whether that's on the PK or like power play if needed, those kind of things, all around. I feel like I could contribute in any way, and then things I can work on would be like in the face off dot on, continuing to try to get a stronger down low, hang on to the pucks, and make more plays.”
Pietila comes from a hockey family. Logan’s twin brother, Blake, plays overseas in Norway. His younger brother Chase, was signed to an NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being drafted in 2024, cousin Jed Pietila plays for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL “Just for my parents and my dad used to build an ice rink when we were growing up and my brothers have a little inner battles between the family, so I think that's where I got my start.”
Every position on the ice has aspects of the position that are favored, such as scoring goals, saving the big shot made, or making a big play. Pietila touches on what his favorite aspect of being a forward is. “I think just scoring goals. I think that's probably one of the biggest things you grew up trying to score goals, so scoring goals is pretty awesome. I think one of the major things, just the team comes together, you play a good game, and get a win.”
- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credits/ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
