Blake Lizotte Bio
Blake Joseph Lizotte (born December 13, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing roughly 176 pounds, the Lindstrom, Minnesota native plays a responsible, two-way game and is known for his speed, hockey sense, and reliability in all three zones. After beginning his career with the Los Angeles Kings in 2019, Lizotte signed with the Penguins in July 2024 and continues to build a reputation as a dependable bottom-six contributor.
Early Life and Background
Blake Joseph Lizotte was born on December 13, 1997, in Lindstrom, Minnesota, a small community in Chisago County known for producing competitive youth hockey players. Growing up in a hockey-centric region of the Upper Midwest, Lizotte was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed his skills on local rinks throughout his childhood.
When Blake was 14, his father died at age 45 from complications related to epilepsy, leaving his mother to raise Blake and his two brothers on her own. The family tragedy shaped Lizotte’s maturity and work ethic, qualities that would later define his approach to the game. He credits his upbringing in Lindstrom and the support of his family for instilling the discipline that carried him through junior and professional hockey.
Path to Hockey
After going undrafted out of high school, Lizotte joined the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. The USHL is widely considered the top junior circuit in the United States, and Lizotte used his time in Fargo to sharpen his offensive game and prove he could compete at an elite amateur level.
Following his USHL stint, Lizotte committed to St. Cloud State University of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Over two seasons with the Huskies, he helped the program capture consecutive NCHC regular-season championships and earn the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. In his sophomore year of 2018–19, he ranked second on the team in points, tied for first in assists, and finished fourth in goals, earning selection to the NCHC First All-Star Team. Across 76 collegiate games, Lizotte tallied 69 points, numbers that established him as one of the most consistent playmakers in college hockey.
Blake Lizotte Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Lizotte’s development arc began in the USHL with the Fargo Force, where he spent two seasons refining his two-way game and earning the attention of NCAA programs. His performances in Fargo led directly to his commitment to St. Cloud State, where he emerged as one of the Huskies’ most important players.
Across his two collegiate seasons, Lizotte posted 69 points in 76 games and helped lead St. Cloud State to back-to-back NCHC regular-season titles. After a second consecutive early exit in the NCAA Tournament, he opted to turn professional rather than return for his junior year.
NHL Breakthrough with the Los Angeles Kings (2019–2024)
On April 2, 2019, Lizotte agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He made his NHL debut four days later in the Kings’ season finale, a 5–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on April 6, 2019. Lizotte wasted little time making an impact at the top level, scoring his first career NHL goal and adding an assist in a 3–2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on November 9, 2019.
During the 2020-21 season, Lizotte scored 10 points and led the Kings in plus-minus rating, a reflection of his responsible defensive play. On June 24, 2021, he signed a one-year, $800,000 contract extension with Los Angeles, and on March 21, 2022, he re-signed a two-year extension carrying an average annual value of $1.675 million. Across his five seasons with the Kings, Lizotte became a trusted bottom-six forward valued for his faceoff work, penalty killing, and energy.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Lizotte signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins worth an average annual value of $1.85 million. The move brought the experienced two-way center to a Penguins team looking to inject speed and depth into its bottom six.
Lizotte’s tenure in Pittsburgh got off to a difficult start. In a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators on September 29, 2024, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang accidentally cleared the puck into his own bench, striking Lizotte in the face. He sustained a concussion and missed roughly a month of action before making his Penguins debut on October 31, 2024, against the Anaheim Ducks. Since returning, Lizotte has settled into a regular role on the Penguins’ checking lines and penalty kill.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 5 feet 9 inches, Lizotte is not the biggest player on the ice, but he compensates with quickness, anticipation, and a relentless work rate. He excels in faceoff circles, is trusted on the penalty kill, and is known for his ability to disrupt opposing top lines. His hockey IQ and positional awareness have allowed him to carve out a long NHL career as an undrafted player.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lizotte’s first NHL goal against the Canadiens on November 9, 2019, marked the official arrival of an undrafted free agent who had climbed from the USHL to St. Cloud State to the league’s biggest stage. His plus-minus leadership for the Kings in 2020-21 and his two-year deal with the Penguins in 2024 underscore the respect he has earned as a reliable professional.
Blake Lizotte Career Wins
As a bottom-six forward whose value is measured as much by defense, faceoffs, and special teams as by offensive production, Blake Lizotte’s career highlights center on milestones, contracts, and the steady role he has earned across two NHL organizations. His journey from undrafted USHL player to multi-year NHL contract reflects consistent performance rather than headline-grabbing trophy counts.
NHL Highlights
Lizotte made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings on April 6, 2019, and scored his first NHL goal on November 9, 2019, against Montreal. He went on to lead the Kings in plus-minus during the 2020-21 season and signed extensions in 2021 and 2022 before inking his two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024.
Other Wins & Performances
At St. Cloud State, Lizotte helped capture two NCHC regular-season championships, earned First All-Star Team honors, and finished with 69 points in 76 games. In the USHL with the Fargo Force, he established himself as a prospect worthy of NCAA attention, setting the stage for his professional breakthrough.
Blake Lizotte Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Blake Lizotte grew up in Lindstrom, Minnesota, with his mother and two brothers after his father died from complications of epilepsy when Blake was 14. The family navigated that loss together, and Lizotte has often pointed to his mother as a central figure in his career.
Personal Life
Lizotte married his wife, Abby Skaalerud, in 2021, and the couple welcomed a son in February 2026. He is a practicing Christian and continues to make his offseason home in the Twin Cities area, remaining closely tied to his Minnesota roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year represents the heart of Blake Lizotte’s two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After recovering from the preseason concussion that delayed his debut, he returned to action in late October 2024 and has since served as a regular contributor on Pittsburgh’s checking lines and penalty kill.
Throughout the 2025 season, Lizotte has been leaned on for his faceoff reliability and two-way responsibility, providing lineup stability for a Penguins team balancing veteran leadership with younger talent. His role alongside the club’s bottom-six forwards has given Pittsburgh a consistent defensive presence in important matchups.
Looking ahead, Lizotte is signed through the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and his continued development as a trusted special-teams player could position him for a long-term extension or a stable role wherever his career takes him next.
