2024-25 PSU Men's Ice Hockey Thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
Penn State day on BTN. If you have a chance, watch “The Penn State Hockey Story” coming up at 7 pm EDT. Great look at the past season and, for those of you continuing to doubt Coach Gadowsky, a window into why he’s our “Guy.”
Ummm, I think the doubt about Guy was around Jan 1st when they were horrible. No one is doubting him after post season run.
And I didn’t understand the doubt then, either. The team lost their goaltender. Then the second teamer lost confidence/was also hurt, and the third guy up had been promoted from the club team essentially and was doing his absolute best. There were other injuries on the blue line. Certainly the coach (especially in this case) shouldn’t be taking the blame?!?
Guy has done an amazing job. Three elite eights in the first 10 years in the history of the program? There are established collegiate hockey programs that would crawl over jagged ice naked for that type of success. Heck, last year was UConn’s first tournament in 25 plus years in Division I. NoDak, college hockey royalty, hasn’t been to a Frozen Four in a decade. Those folks are desperate to get to where we are!
Lest we forget, the hockey conference we are in has been among the toughest in the game RPI-wise despite the lack of titles.
Now for the downside: while I am giddy about the recruiting and direction of the program, there will be three major hurdles the next two years:
1) improving our positioning in the B1G, but not starting 0-9 should be easier. The development of the Omaha transfer goalie is going to be a major issue where next season’s success may hinge.
2) keeping the culture intact with the existing players and the incoming juniors players and high draft picks.
3) perhaps most significantly, PSU will have to go on the road in the NCAAs the next two seasons. While I would love if PSU becomes a juggernaut and can earn a spot in the tourney as a top seed in Albany or Worcester, the Lions may also have to face Denver in Loveland or one of the Minny schools or the NoDak hosts in Fargo. That’s a big ask for any team. We’ve done well as hosts in A-town, and we’ve had the distinct advantage that conveyed. So while I’m positively overjoyed at our progress and position for the future, I haven’t booked my flights and hotels for Vegas next April. (But I’ve looked! 8) )
^ Good post overall. I have a lot of thoughts on Guy, but I don’t feel like taking the time to type them all out like you did.
I’ve seen it postulated Between$800,000-$850,000
So, it’s like this with McKenna? This is why we’re losing our sh|t?
1. He’s an elite NHL talent (projected 1st pick in the draft).
2. By age, he’s one year away from entering the NHL Draft, so he has to play somewhere else in 2025-2026.
3. Penn State gave him a sh|t-ton of cash money to play there for one season.
4. Once drafted by an NHL team in 2026, he will never acknowledge Penn State again.
1. He’s an elite NHL talent (projected 1st pick in the draft).
2. By age, he’s one year away from entering the NHL Draft, so he has to play somewhere else in 2025-2026.
3. Penn State gave him a sh|t-ton of cash money to play there for one season.
4. Once drafted by an NHL team in 2026, he will never acknowledge Penn State again.
I think there is a good chance #4 is not going to happen... unless the checks bounce.So, it’s like this with McKenna? This is why we’re losing our sh|t?
1. He’s an elite NHL talent (projected 1st pick in the draft).
2. By age, he’s one year away from entering the NHL Draft, so he has to play somewhere else in 2025-2026.
3. Penn State gave him a sh|t-ton of cash money to play there for one season.
4. Once drafted by an NHL team in 2026, he will never acknowledge Penn State again.
He will be one and done at PSU. The kid is from Yukon (not Storrs). He has no real allegiance to PSU. PSU is renting the kid (very high rent) to further elevate the program, while the kid is playing at PSU to solidify his position as the first pick in the draft. It’s a business transaction. He can’t play in the NHL yet and needs to play somewhere. PSU paid up and gets his services for a year.
I could be wrong (often am), but I don’t see this kid having a strong allegiance to PSU in the future. One and done.