Veillette and Mitens Receive WCHA Player of the Week Honors

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Pete Veillette and Mareks Mitens have each received Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Player of the Week honoros as announced by conference officials on Monday, January 11. Veillette has been named WCHA Forward of the Week and Mitens has been named WCHA Goaltender of the Week.

The Lakers recorded a road sweep against the Northern Michigan Wildcats with a 4-1 win on Friday, Jan. 8 and a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday, Jan. 9. 

Forward of the Week: Pete Veillette

Lake Superior State junior forward Pete Veillette led all WCHA skaters in goals (3) and points (5) this weekend as the Lakers swept the Northern Michigan Wildcats on the road in a non-conference series. Veillette tied his previous single game high in points with three in Friday’s 4-1 win over the Wildcats as he scored the game’s first goal while on the power play. Veillette would assist on the next two Laker goals in the game, which included the game winner to post his second career three-point effort. On Saturday, the Drummondville, Que. native, scored twice for the Lakers in the third period to force overtime against NMU. It marked the first time in Veillette’s career that he recorded a multi-goal game and his third multi-point game of the season. The forward’s first goal in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win was scored shorthanded, making Veillette the only player in the WCHA to record a power play goal and a shorthanded goal this week. In addition to the five point effort this weekend, Veillette recorded six shots on goal and finished the series with a +3 rating. 

Goaltender of the Week: Mareks Mitens

Lake Superior State senior goaltender Mareks Mitens led the Lakers to a weekend sweep over the Northern Michigan Wildcats in non-conference road series this weekend. Mitens recorded his third and fourth wins of the season with 27 saves in a 4-1 win on Friday and 32 stops on the Wildcats in a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday. The Ventspils, Latvia native stopped 59 of the 62 shots he faced from the Wildcats to record a 1.50 goals against average and a .952 save percentage in the series. The Laker goalie led all WCHA netminders in both goals against average and save percentage this week, and was one of two goaltenders in the league this week to record two wins. Mitens has now allowed two or fewer goals in all but one of his 10 appearances this season. Through the Lakers first 10 games of the season, Mitens has a 1.57 goals against average and a .941 save percentage. 

The No. 19 Lakers will be back at home this weekend to begin conference play against the No. 5/4 Minnesota State Mavericks. The games are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15 at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 16 at 5:07 p.m. at the Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Even though spectators cannot currently attend Laker games, there are still a number of ways that fans will be able to follow the game action. All Laker home games, and away games against WCHA opponents during the 2020-21 season will be available to watch live on FloHockey, the WCHA’s streaming partner. For more information or to sign up for a subscription, visit https:/www.flohockey.tv. Fans can also tune in to the radio broadcast on 99.5 Yes FM, the official radio station of Laker hockey.

For more information, visit lssulakers.com.