GUTTIE LANDS AT FINLANDIA

Mullets Defenseman Gutterman Commits to D-III Finlandia

By: Dan Bradley

MINNEAPOLIS -- As the summer draws to a close, the start of the school year is just around the corner. For Mullets defenseman Blake Gutterman, the new year means a new start. The Mullets announced Thursday Gutterman has committed to Division III Finlandia University starting in the Fall 2020 semester.

“I’m very excited to continue my education and hockey career at Finlandia,” Gutterman said. “I knew I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and away from Minnesota. Finlandia, in my opinion, is the perfect distance from home. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the education and hockey programs. I can’t wait to continue my education, as well as getting to know my new teammates and get back to playing competitive hockey. I have not been in school for three years, so it will be a challenge for me to get back into the groove, but I’ve been developing habits of reading and learning new skill sets this summer and I’m eager to learn as much as I can.”

An everyman for the Mullies, Gutterman split time this season as both a forward and defenseman. He totaled 19 goals and 32 assists in 40 games during the 2019-20 season, including 4 game-winning goals. Gutterman concluded his USPHL career with 29 goals and 41 assists in 72 games. 

“I’m thankful for every single person on the Mullets team, both on and off the ice, and wouldn’t have be where I am without them,” Gutterman said. “While we didn’t make it as far as we hoped, we had lots of talented players and we worked hard every day. The friendships created out the year are something I will take with me to Finlandia and will last for a lifetime. We learned a lot together, and we grew as hockey players and as people. For me, junior hockey has been about learning life lessons as much as winning games. I am happy with the season, and extremely thankful for everyone who was a part of my last year of junior hockey.”

“The Minnesota Mullets were, and always will be, a family.”

One of those friendships in particular will stay with Gutterman as he heads to school; former Mullets teammate Tyler Perkins announced his commitment to Finlandia in May. Gutterman and Perkins combined for 42 power play points for the Mullets during the 2019-20 season, and scored 33% of the team’s power play goals. 

“Perk and I have built up some pretty strong chemistry on and off the ice these past few years,” Gutterman added. “It will be extremely fun to be able to play and live with him into the coming year. It will be good to have a familiar face while starting this new chapter of my life as well.”

Gutterman plans to major in Business and Entrepreneurship, with a goal of opening an athlete-specific gym/supplement business of his own.

“Congratulations to Blake on his junior hockey career, college commitment, and taking this next step in life,” Mullets Head Coach Chris Walby said. “Blake had a great season and brought so much to the team each game. He was a big contributor on offense this past season, and defensively, he was one of the best in the league. I wish Blake and his family all the best this upcoming season and for years to come.”

With the commitment to Finlandia, Gutterman is the 40th player from Walby’s programs to advance to an NCAA program over the past eight years, and the 11th Mullet to advance to college from the 2019-20 team. For more information on the Mullets program, go to www.mulletshockey.com.