Penn State Men's Hockey Record
Penn State Men's Hockey is a team that has been around for over 100 years. The team has a rich history, and they have had their fair share of success on the ice. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the team's record, including their best seasons, players, coaches, and more.
The Early Years of Penn State Men's Hockey
The Penn State Men's Hockey team was founded in 1915, and they played their first game against Johnstown High School. The team played sporadically over the next few decades, but it wasn't until the 1940s that they started to gain some momentum.
In the 1940s, Penn State joined the Eastern Intercollegiate Hockey League (EIHl) and began competing against other college teams on a regular basis. However, the team struggled to find consistency on the ice, and they didn't have a winning season until the 1960s.
The 1960s: The Start of a Winning Tradition
The 1960s were a turning point for Penn State Men's Hockey. The team had a new coach, Herb Hammond, who helped to turn the program around. Under Hammond's leadership, the team had their first winning season in 1963-64, finishing with a record of 11-7-1.
Throughout the rest of the 1960s, Penn State Men's Hockey continued to improve. They finished with winning records in four out of the six seasons, and they made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1965.
The 1970s: A Decade of Dominance
The 1970s were a decade of dominance for Penn State Men's Hockey. The team had a new coach, Joe Battista, who led the team to four straight EIHl championships from 1972-1975. During this time, the team had a combined record of 81-14-1.
Penn State Men's Hockey continued to be successful throughout the rest of the 1970s, finishing with winning records in seven out of the ten seasons. They made several appearances in the NCAA tournament and were consistently ranked among the top teams in the country.
The 1980s and 1990s: A Period of Struggle
The 1980s and 1990s were a period of struggle for Penn State Men's Hockey. The team had a new coach, Bill O'Flaherty, who was unable to replicate the success of his predecessors. The team had losing records in most of the seasons, and they failed to make any appearances in the NCAA tournament.
In 1994, the team joined the newly-formed College Hockey America (CHA) conference, which provided them with an opportunity to compete against other college teams in the region. However, they continued to struggle and had losing records in most of the seasons.
The 2000s: A New Era of Success
The 2000s marked a new era of success for Penn State Men's Hockey. The team had a new coach, Guy Gadowsky, who helped to turn the program around. In 2011, the team was accepted into the Big Ten conference, which gave them the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the country.
Under Gadowsky's leadership, Penn State Men's Hockey has become a powerhouse in college hockey. They have had winning records in most of the seasons, and they have made several appearances in the NCAA tournament. In the 2016-17 season, they won their first Big Ten championship and made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
The Best Seasons in Penn State Men's Hockey History
Over the course of their history, Penn State Men's Hockey has had several standout seasons. Here are some of their most memorable:
1965-66
This season marked the first time that Penn State Men's Hockey made an appearance in the NCAA tournament. They advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Boston University.
1972-75
During this period, Penn State Men's Hockey won four straight EIHl championships and had a combined record of 81-14-1. They were one of the top teams in the country and made several appearances in the NCAA tournament.
2016-17
This was the most successful season in Penn State Men's Hockey history. They won their first Big Ten championship and made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. They finished with a record of 25-12-2 and were ranked among the top teams in the country.
The Best Players in Penn State Men's Hockey History
Over the years, Penn State Men's Hockey has had several standout players. Here are some of the best:
Denis Smirnov
Denis Smirnov is one of the most talented players to ever lace up the skates for Penn State Men's Hockey. He had an outstanding freshman season in 2016-17, finishing with 47 points in 39 games. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Casey Bailey
Casey Bailey was a standout forward for Penn State Men's Hockey from 2012-2015. He finished his career with 80 points in 98 games, and he was a key player during the team's transition to the Big Ten conference.
Scott Balboni
Scott Balboni was a standout defenseman for Penn State Men's Hockey in the 1970s. He was a two-time All-American and was named the ECAC Player of the Year in 1977-78.
The Future of Penn State Men's Hockey
The future looks bright for Penn State Men's Hockey. The team has established itself as one of the top programs in the country, and they have a talented group of players and coaches who are committed to maintaining that success.
In the coming years, we can expect to see Penn State Men's Hockey continue to compete at the highest level and make deep runs in the NCAA tournament. With the support of their fans and the dedication of their players and coaches, the sky is the limit for this historic program.
