Lickteig commits to Michigan Tech

The Alexandria Blizzard has announced that second-year forward Mikael Lickteig has committed to Michigan Tech University (WCHA) for the upcoming fall.

Last season, the 21-year-old from Little Falls, Minn., helped guide the Blizzard to a Robertson Cup Championship Tournament appearance after posting a team-leading 34 goals for 74 points in 58 regular-season games.  He was also a plus-28.

“It's a relief, a real weight off my shoulders,” Lickteig said. “It is an extreme honor to play for a program like Michigan Tech and to play in the WCHA. I have watched that league my whole life.”
 
With 74 points, Lickteig ranked second only to Luke Nesper for the team lead. Lickteig also had the league's longest-consecutive game point-scoring streak, recording at least one in 20 straight games.

“At the beginning of the summer, they told me they were interested but I just had to wait,” Lickteig said of Tech's approach. “It took me three years of junior hockey to get here. I gained 45 pounds and I just got better in every facet of the game.”

Lickteig credits the Blizzard's coaching staff for much of his development.

“I trusted Coach (Brad) Willner and Coach (John) Rosso and it paid off for me big-time,” he said.

Lickteig will join a rebuilding Tech program that went 14-20-5 last season after fashioning a 18-17-5 record the year before.

Michigan Tech plays the University of Minnesota at Mariucci Arena this season on Nov. 15-16.

“I hope I'm not too nervous when I step out on the ice,” Lickteig said.  “My goal is to be in the lineup for every game.  I'll just take my lunch bucket to practice every day and work hard.”

Lickteig plans to major in Exercise Science.