Penn State is off to its best start in program history, beginning the season with a 10-0 record. The strong start is powered by a talented group of players recruited by coach Jeff Kampersal and his staff.
Kampersal has rebuilt the women’s hockey program from the ground up by studying players, both international and local, and assembling a successful team.
“Because we’re at the school that we’re at, we’re able to get out to other places and try to make the hockey world smaller,” Kampersal said. “We are able to bring the best from all over the world into Penn State.”
While communicating with players from other countries could raise concerns about language barriers, Kampersal said he’s “insanely impressed” with how they’ve adapted to the fast-paced environment at Penn State.
Since 2017, Kampersal has added 19 international players to his team, with athletes from Sweden, Austria, Italy and Canada.
“Probably the best hockey area is southern Ontario, so we would get a lot of Ontario players,” Kampersal said. “More recently, there’s been an influx of European players.”
In addition to the yearly Stony Creek tournament in Ontario, Canada, Kampersal works with his staff to get scouts on a two-week camp in the Sweden area during the summer.
This year, assistant coach Makenna Newkirk was able to get in contact with new recruits.
“Makenna was the one who was over there last time and had spotted Matilde Fantin in that camp,” Kampersal said.” She was able to talk to her that day and get a head start with her.”
Forward Matilde Fantin (20) lays a hit during the women’s ice hockey game against Mercyhurst in Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Lakers 6-1.
Sawyer Hadlum
Kampersal continued to bring in elite international players with three this year, two of which are off to strong starts.
Both Italian forward Fantin and Canadian defenseman Danica Maynard had an impressive series in their young careers in which both players had four-point games.
Their performances earned them AHA Forward of the Week and AHA Defenseman of the Week in early October.
Fantin, one of the more recent European additions, played her career prior to college with HC Lugano in the different age groups. Apart from playing for her club, the freshman played for her country in the most recent IIHF Division 1 Women’s World Championship.
“It’s always an honor to represent your country and for me it was awesome,” Fantin said. “It’s what I always dreamed about when I was younger and having the chance to play was really great.”
Leading her team in points and becoming the top scorer, Fantin helped secure gold for team Italy before joining Penn State.
With her club in Switzerland, the 5-foot-7 forward showed off speed and patience with the puck, while playing bigger than her frame.
Fantin said she wants “to bring more of a European style of play” to Penn State.Her physical play stems from playing for HC Lugano, an all-boys team known for its constant physicality and body checking.
“I have always been used to playing boys hockey in Switzerland,” Fantin said. “It’s my first time playing an entire season with a women’s team, so the physicality is what I struggle with a little bit.”
Maynard is a gold medalist for team Canada in the 2025 U18 Women’s World Championship. The Lake Country, British Columbia, native is one of the elite blue-line, two-way prospects and roommates with Fantin.
Defenseman Danica Maynard skates toward the puck during the women’s ice hockey game against Mercyhurst in Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Lakers 6-1.
Sawyer Hadlum
Having another new international player as a roommate has helped both Fantin and Maynard adjust immensely as they transition into college life in the U.S.
“Just being able to look out for each other, I think that’s a really good spot for us,” Maynard said. “It’s great that we room together so we have that bond.”
The roommates share a unique experience, having both represented their country and won gold. Maynard said she was speechless when she received the call to play for her country in Finland.
“I think just playing with players on my team there, that got me ready to come to college and play for Penn State,” Maynard said.
Maynard is looking to adjust her game to a more team-oriented approach.
The two-way defenseman is coming from a background where players played “end-to-end” hockey, skating the puck alone to create a scoring chance for themselves.
“(In college) you have to move the puck and join the team on the rush,” Maynard said. “That’s definitely something I have to improve and change around with my game.”
Maynard currently leads the AHA in points with 13, showing signs of adjusting her game and becoming an elite recruit for Kampersal.
Penn State was on the radar for both Fantin and Maynard due to its global and the resources it provides.
“We have such a great group that everyone has brought me in and taught me things,” Maynard said. “The coaching staff has been really amazing, as well.”
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