Penn State Men's Ice Hockey
Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team has been making waves in the NCAA since they started playing in the Big Ten conference in 2013. Since then, they have been consistently ranked among the top teams in the country, with an impressive record of 174-112-26 as of the end of the 2020-2021 season. Let's take a closer look at how this team has risen to greatness.
History of Penn State Men's Ice Hockey
Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team was founded in 1940 and played at the club level until they were elevated to the Division I level in 2012. The team played its first Division I game on October 12, 2012, against American International College, which they won 4-3.
After playing their first season as an independent team, Penn State joined the Big Ten conference in 2013. Since then, they have been making headlines with their impressive performance on the ice.
Notable Achievements
Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team has achieved several notable accomplishments since they joined the Big Ten conference. In the 2016-2017 season, they won the Big Ten regular-season championship, finishing with a record of 12-3-1 in conference play. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament that season, losing to Union College in a close 2-1 game.
In the 2017-2018 season, Penn State finished second in the Big Ten conference with a record of 11-7-2. They also made it to the NCAA tournament but lost to Denver University in the first round.
The 2018-2019 season saw Penn State finish third in the Big Ten conference with a record of 11-9-4. They made it to the NCAA tournament once again but lost to University of Massachusetts in the first round.
Key Players
Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team has had several key players over the years that have contributed to their success. One of their most notable players is Andrew Sturtz, who played for the team from 2015 to 2018. He is the team's all-time leading goal scorer with 65 goals and also holds the record for most points in a single season with 46.
Another key player for Penn State is Denis Smirnov, who played for the team from 2017 to 2021. He is the team's second all-time leading scorer with 134 points and holds the record for most assists in a single season with 28.
The Coaching Staff
The coaching staff has played a significant role in the rise of Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team. Guy Gadowsky has been the head coach of the team since 2011 and has led the team to all of their notable achievements. His coaching philosophy emphasizes aggressive offense, which has led to the team scoring an average of 3.62 goals per game in the 2020-2021 season.
In addition to the head coach, the assistant coaches have also played a significant role in the team's success. Keith Fisher and Matt Lindsay have been the assistant coaches for the team since 2014 and 2016, respectively. Their contributions to the team's success cannot be overstated.
The Future of Penn State Men's Ice Hockey
The future of Penn State Men's Ice Hockey looks bright. The team has consistently recruited high-caliber players and has also invested in their facilities. The team's home rink, Pegula Ice Arena, is one of the nicest facilities in college hockey and has helped attract top talent to the team.
Furthermore, the team's coaching staff has proven that they have what it takes to lead the team to success. Their emphasis on aggressive offense and strong team culture has helped create a winning environment for the team.
Conclusion
Penn State Men's Ice Hockey team has come a long way since they started playing at the Division I level in 2012. Their impressive performance on the ice, combined with their state-of-the-art facilities and strong coaching staff, has led to their rise to greatness. As the team looks towards the future, it's clear that they have what it takes to continue their success in the years to come.