Penguins select overage defenseman Chase Pietila in fourth round

Big, right handed and physical defender picked by Pens

With their third pick of the day, the Pittsburgh Penguins stuck with defense in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft. 20-year old Michigan Tech defender Chase Pietila was the selection.

Pietila has been undrafted in the last two seasons but has seen his profile grow. The penalty minute numbers stick out from his hockeydb. Searching his name on twitter seems to show a throwback element and willingness to fight that isn’t so common these days. Add in a right shot and some decent size (being listed anywhere between 6’1 and 6’3 depending on the location) and it was enough to have the Pens call his name.

That Pittsburgh drafted Pietila in the fourth round and not later on with three more upcoming picks in the sixth and seventh rounds tells one what they think about his upside and potentially availability later in the draft. Pietila was ranked 108th among North American skaters by CSB, but the Pens selected him 111th overall in a clear indication that they see a little more in him than most have lately.

As Nick Hart pointed out, Chase’s brother Logan recently signed with the AHL Penguins