Blake Lizotte Bio
Blake Joseph Lizotte (born December 13, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 176 pounds, the Minnesota native is known for his two-way play, hockey intelligence, and relentless work ethic despite his undersized frame. Lizotte previously played for the Los Angeles Kings before signing with Pittsburgh in 2024.
A late bloomer who went undrafted out of high school, Lizotte built his career through the United States Hockey League (USHL), the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), and two seasons of college hockey at St. Cloud State University. His path from small-town Minnesota to the NHL has been defined by perseverance, discipline, and a willingness to outwork bigger opponents on every shift.
Early Life and Background
Blake Joseph Lizotte was born on December 13, 1997, in Lindstrom, Minnesota, a small community in Chisago County known for its strong youth hockey tradition. Growing up in the Upper Midwest, Lizotte was immersed in the sport from a young age, learning to skate and compete on frozen outdoor rinks before moving into organized youth leagues. Lindstrom’s hockey culture provided a steady stream of training partners and mentors who helped shape his early development.
When Lizotte was 14 years old, his father passed away at the age of 45 from complications of epilepsy, leaving his mother to raise him and his two brothers on her own. The experience forced Lizotte to mature quickly and strengthened his resolve to pursue hockey as a career. Family has remained central to his identity, and Lizotte has spoken about the values of hard work, accountability, and faith that he gained from his upbringing in Minnesota.
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, one of the top junior development circuits in North America. His time in the USHL allowed him to refine his skating, playmaking, and defensive game against high-level competition. Following his second USHL season, Lizotte committed to St. Cloud State University, where he would play in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).
At St. Cloud State, Lizotte quickly established himself as a top college player. Across two seasons with the Huskies, he helped lead the program to the NCHC regular-season championship in both years and helped secure the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. During his sophomore season in 2018–19, he ranked second on the team in points, tied for first in assists, and fourth in goals, and he was named to the NCHC First All-Star Team. Over 76 games with the Huskies, he tallied 69 points, a performance that convinced NHL scouts he was ready for the next level.
Blake Lizotte Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
After two consecutive early exits with the Huskies in the NCAA Tournament, Lizotte agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on April 2, 2019. He immediately joined the Kings and made his NHL debut in the team’s season finale, a 5–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on April 6, 2019. The brief audition gave him a first taste of professional hockey and validated the decision to leave college early.
During his first full NHL season in 2019–20, Lizotte carved out a bottom-six role with the Kings and became a trusted penalty-killer and energy forward. On November 9, 2019, he recorded his first career NHL goal and added an assist in a 3–2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, a milestone that confirmed his place in the league. His mature defensive game and reliable faceoff work quickly made him a favorite of the Kings’ coaching staff.
Los Angeles Kings Breakthrough (2020–2024)
Lizotte’s breakout came during the 2020–21 season, when he scored 10 points and led the Kings in plus-minus rating, a strong indicator of his two-way impact. Recognizing his value, the Kings signed him to a one-year, $800,000 contract extension on June 24, 2021. He continued to anchor the penalty kill and provide secondary scoring, becoming a fixture in the Los Angeles lineup.
On March 21, 2022, Lizotte agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Kings worth an average annual value of $1.675 million, cementing his long-term role with the organization. Across his five seasons in Los Angeles, he earned a reputation as a smart, responsible center who could be deployed in all situations. Although the Kings did not qualify for the playoffs during much of his tenure, Lizotte’s steady growth made him a respected leader in the locker room.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Lizotte signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins worth an average of $1.85 million annually, joining a storied franchise looking to blend veteran talent with energetic supporting pieces. His arrival in Pittsburgh was met with optimism, as the Penguins sought to bolster their bottom-six forward group and penalty kill with a player known for his speed, anticipation, and defensive detail.
Lizotte’s Penguins debut was delayed after a frightening preseason incident on September 29, 2024, when he was struck in the face by a puck cleared into the team bench by defenseman Kris Letang during a game against the Ottawa Senators. He sustained a concussion and missed a month of action before finally debuting against the Anaheim Ducks on October 31. Despite the setback, Lizotte quickly returned to form and slotted into a regular role with his new club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lizotte’s game is built on speed, hockey IQ, and relentless compete level rather than size or physicality. He excels as a penalty killer, winning faceoffs, and disrupting opposing offensive zone entries through active stick work and quick reads. His ability to play responsible defense while still contributing offensively has made him a trusted two-way center wherever he has played.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Lizotte’s career are his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens in 2019, leading the Kings in plus-minus during the 2020–21 season, and signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024. His recovery from the preseason concussion also stands out as a testament to his resilience and professionalism.
Blake Lizotte Career Wins
Blake Lizotte’s professional career has been defined more by consistency, two-way reliability, and steady progression through the ranks than by major individual trophies. While he has not yet captured a Stanley Cup, Calder Trophy, or major individual NHL award, his résumé features a college conference championship, NHL contract extensions, and a key role on a playoff-contending Penguins team.
NHL Highlights
Over parts of six NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins, Lizotte has established himself as a dependable depth center. His 10-point campaign in 2020–21, during which he led the Kings in plus-minus, remains one of his strongest statistical seasons. His transition to Pittsburgh in 2024 marked his first free-agent move and the start of a new chapter in his career.
Other Wins & Performances
At the junior level, Lizotte’s two USHL seasons with the Fargo Force prepared him for the rigors of college hockey. At St. Cloud State, he won back-to-back NCHC regular-season championships and was named to the NCHC First All-Star Team in 2018–19, performances that paved the way for his entry-level contract with the Kings.
Blake Lizotte Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lizotte grew up in Lindstrom, Minnesota, in a tight-knit family with deep Minnesota roots. His father passed away from complications of epilepsy when Blake was 14, an experience that shaped his character and his approach to the game. His mother raised him and his two brothers on her own, instilling values of resilience, faith, and hard work that continue to define his career.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Lizotte is known to be a practicing Christian, a faith he has spoken about publicly as an important anchor in his life. He has remained closely connected to his family in Minnesota, often crediting his mother and brothers for supporting him through the challenges of professional sports. While he keeps most personal details private, his grounded demeanor and family-first values have become part of his identity in the locker room.
2025 Season Performance
Blake Lizotte’s 2025 NHL season represents his first full year with the Pittsburgh Penguins after a preseason concussion delayed his Penguins debut in 2024. Healthy and settled into a bottom-six role, he has been relied upon as a penalty-killing specialist and a defensive-minded center capable of matching up against top lines. His speed and faceoff reliability have given the Penguins’ coaching staff flexibility in deploying their forward group.
As the season progresses, Lizotte’s contributions on the penalty kill and in a checking role have been among the quietly important storylines for Pittsburgh. With the Penguins aiming to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, his ability to log tough minutes, win key draws, and chip in occasional offense has been a stabilizing factor. The 2025 campaign is also an opportunity for Lizotte to demonstrate that his two-year, $1.85 million contract is a strong value for the franchise.
Looking ahead, Lizotte’s ongoing role with the Penguins, combined with his 2026 contract status, means that a strong finish to the 2025 season could shape his long-term future in Pittsburgh. Whether continuing as a trusted two-way center or attracting attention as a trade candidate, his track record of resilience and professionalism suggests he will remain a valuable contributor wherever his career takes him next.