When Penn State men’s hockey opens its season on the road against UConn, the Nittany Lions will have more NHL draft picks than any other team in program history.

Ten of the team’s 25 players have been selected by NHL teams, beating out last year’s record of eight. With a more talented top-down roster, Penn State should be a much more balanced team.

“We might get back to a little bit more high-tempo, everybody deeper than last year. There were two very high-octane lines that we used a lot,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said. “You’re going to see scoring by committee.”

The Nittany Lions relied heavily on scoring from their top-six last season, highlighted by Gavin McKenna and Matt DiMarsico, both of whom are no longer on the team.

Relying on all four lines allows for more flexibility and gives the team a consistent identity no matter who’s on the ice.

“We play to score, and we’re very creative,” Gadowsky said. “That’s what we want. I think that’s what the fans that come to Pegula Ice Arena every weekend expect to see, and I think it’s not only winning hockey; it’s great development hockey, and I think it’s a blast.”

With so much roster turnover this season, players need to adopt Penn State’s culture quickly. Team captains Dane Dowiak and Reese Laubach will have their hands full keeping the rest of the team in line.

Both Dowiak and Laubach were leaders last season, with Dowiak returning as a captain and Laubach being an alternate in 2025. Gadowsky aims to get this team on the same page quickly by surrounding new talent with guys who have already been exposed to and know the culture in Hockey Valley.

Penn State hockey’s identity on the ice is built on speed and high energy, but off the ice, in game preparation and roster construction, it’s fueled by data.

Director of analytics and operations Derek Avery joined the staff this offseason to improve the team’s use of analytics.

“I don’t think the eye test is everything. I think if you’re going to maximize your evaluation, you really do need both [eye test and analytics],” Gadowsky said. “It’s never just what [Andrew Sturtz] likes or [Vince Pedrie] likes or what [Juliano Pagliero] likes. It’s based around analytics, so we’re all on the same page.”

A more analytical approach lets Gadowsky and his staff find players who fit the team’s high-paced scheme while mixing in top CHL talent.

UConn presents the first challenge to the new-look Penn State in its season opener.

Coming off an opening-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies have lofty goals for themselves this season.

“[UConn] has high expectations, just like us. So it’s a very exciting way to start the year,” Gadowsky said.

Brian is a sophomore from State College, PA, majoring in journalism and minoring in sports studies. He serves as an associate editor and is on the wrestling and hockey beats. You can offer him a job or send hate mail at [email protected]