This story was written by Michigan Tech Athletics

HOUGHTON---Former Michigan Tech hockey player Blake Pietila was called up to the NHL's New Jersey Devils Saturday, and played in the team's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale last night. It was his third NHL game this season after getting called up in mid November.

The 24-year-old was recalled from Albany (AHL) on an emergency basis and inserted for Devante Smith-Pelly who was out with a nagging lower-body injury that flared following Friday's practice.

Pietila, a fifth round pick by the Devils in 2011, was scoreless in two previous games this season on November 19-21. He had an assist in Albany's 3-2 shootout win at Binghamton on Friday night before the rest of the team headed to Bridgeport.

"I drove back to Albany with Scott Clemmensen and got back around 1:30 and then got to the airport about 5:30 and showed up about a half hour before the guys got here," said

Pietila, who had a goal and an assist in seven games with the Devils last season. "It was a long trip but it wasn't bad."

In his second professional season, Pietila has 15 goals and 14 assists in 42 games with Albany.

Pietila played 153 games for the Huskies from 2011-15 and was a two-time captain.

He had 106 career points on 46 goals and 60 assists, leading Huskies to the best start in program history in 2014-15, and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 34 years later that season.

The Devils return home for a pair of games against the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday, and the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday.