Blake Christensen

Blake Christensen (born September 15, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey left wing for the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. He was an All-American for American International. He also broke the league’s record for most points. The upward ascent of the program continued in Christensen's junior campaign and the entire team worked together to produce the best season in program history. Christensen more than doubled his point production and set program records for both assists and points in a season. He finished just 3 points behind the national scoring leader and was named an All-American, the first for AIC at the Division I level. His offensive explosion helped the Yellow Jackets post their first 20-win season in 30 years and win their first ever regular season conference championship. In AIC's run through the Atlantic Hockey Tournament, Christensen was instrumental in helping the team win the title, scoring the overtime winner in the semifinal while assisting on the OT marker in the title game. The conference championship earned American International its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, through the team was given the lowest seed in the bracket. However, despite being badly outshot in the game, Christensen assisted on Brennan Kapcheck's game-winner, giving AIC an astounding upset over top-seeded St. Cloud State.

Christensen returned for his senior season and was named as an alternate captain. While his scoring declined slightly, the Yellow Jackets were on pace to make a second bid for the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, after AIC won its second consecutive regular season title, the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic also delayed the start of Christensen's professional career and he began the following season playing with Manglerud Star Ishockey. When the AHL season eventually got under way he debuted for the Bakersfield Condors but he couldn't find his form. Christensen ended up playing just 10 games and was not retained after the year.

Despite a lackluster first season, Christensen signed a second professional contract, this time with the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Personal life Blake's father Terry is a long-time ice hockey coach. He was an assistant at Michigan State when the Spartans won the national title in 1986.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2012–13 U.S. National Development Team USHL 29 3 2 5 57 — — — — — 2013–14 Youngstown Phantoms USHL 12 2 0 2 20 — — — — — 2013–14 Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL 10 1 0 1 19 — — — — — 2013–14 Lincoln Stars USHL 23 3 8 11 50 — — — — — 2014–15 Lincoln Stars USHL 27 5 8 13 82 — — — — — 2014–15 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 28 3 7 10 49 — — — — — 2015–16 Wenatchee Wild BCHL 52 16 20 36 32 10 5 3 8 10 2016–17 American International AHA 33 8 13 21 37 — — — — — 2017–18 American International AHA 34 13 10 23 50 — — — — — 2018–19 American International AHA 41 16 31 47 22 — — — — — 2019–20 American International AHA 34 11 17 28 12 — — — — — 2020–21 Manglerud Star Ishockey Norway 10 4 5 9 14 — — — — — 2020–21 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 10 2 0 2 12 — — — — — 2021–22 Worcester Railers ECHL 36 18 10 28 31 — — — — — 2021–22 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 11 0 0 0 9 — — — — — 2022–23 Worcester Railers ECHL 35 8 15 23 13 — — — — — 2022–23 HC Thurgau SL — — — — — 4 1 2 3 4 AHL totals 21 2 0 2 21 — — — — —

Awards and honors Award Year College All-Atlantic Hockey First Team 2018–19 AHCA East Second Team All-American 2018–19 Atlantic Hockey All-Tournament Team 2019 All-Atlantic Hockey First Team 2019–20