Kalamazoo, Michigan — During its annual “Alumni and Friends Weekend,” the Western Michigan University hockey program will induct Mark Letest into its circle of honor in recognition of his contributions to the program. “Alumni and Friends Weekend” is scheduled for July 19th and 20th, 2024.
A native of Elk Point, Alberta, Canada, Letest played for Western Michigan during the 2006-07 season where he was one of the best players in the country. As a freshman, Letest scored 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points. He led the NCAA in shorthanded goals and finished the season seventh in the nation in goals and 17th in total points. For his performance, he was named the CCHA Newcomer of the Year and selected to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.
After a stellar season at WMU, Letest signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins to begin his professional career. He went on to play professional hockey for 14 years, including 11 seasons in the NHL with the Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. Letest made his NHL debut on November 14, 2009, against the Boston Bruins. In total, he played in 567 NHL games, scoring 93 goals and 117 assists for a total of 210 points.
He has recorded 20 or more points eight times in his career, including a career-high 35 points with the Oilers in the 2016-17 season. He also recorded a career-high 16 goals that season. In the playoffs, Letest had a dominant 2016-17 season with the Oilers, recording five goals and six assists for 11 points in 13 games. Overall, he appeared in 36 playoff games and recorded 15 points. Letest retired from professional hockey in December 2020.
