In his first season with the team, Hietala helped the Vikings to an 18-13-4 overall record and a 9-5-2 conference record. Augustana secured four nationally ranked wins against Ohama and Colorado College. The squad finished second in the CCHA in penalty kill percentage (.837), second in goals against average (2.14), second in scoring margin (.63) and second in winning percentage (.571). During the season, Augustana had 10 players who garnered CCHA weekly honors, three CCHA monthly awards, and two national monthly awards.
Hietala joined the Vikings in the summer before the 2024-25 season. He came to Sioux Falls after leading the Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) in the 2023-24 season. During his tenure as the bench boss, the Windigo finished second in the Midwest Division with a record of 39-15-3-3. Prior to his time with Wisconsin, Hietala worked as an assistant coach of the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL). He got into coaching during the 2017-18 season with the Madison Captiols (USHL).Â
Hietala, a native of Houghton, Michigan, played three seasons with Michigan Tech (2012-15) before going professional between the SPHL and ECHL.
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