2024-25 PSU Men's Ice Hockey Thread

doctornick

Senior
Sep 4, 2007
432
574
93
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.

I mean, sure, someone who only spends a year in a place isn't going to be as tied as someone who is there for multiple years. That said, Happy Valley can be pretty magical for a 17/18 year old especially an athlete who is being catered to. I would imagine he will likely have some fond memories and speak well of the place if the year goes well (especially if the team has significant success).

Ice Hockey players seem like a low hanging fruit in terms of NIL since there isn't substantial funding in the sport. If Pegula or other well heeled donors step up with significant NIL funding - which seems to be happening - it probably wouldn't be too costly to build a powerhouse (relative to the cost to do so in football or men's basketball)
 

SleepyLion

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2022
2,060
2,815
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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.
One and done isn't the same as never acknowledging the program again. I don't expect anything other than one and done.

Some people say college was the best 4 (or more) years of my life, he might say the best year. I'll take that.
 

nittanymoops

Senior
Feb 4, 2004
604
982
93
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.
What you are speculating is entirely possible.

This one and done phenomena is not unheard of elsewhere in college hockey, but it’s new to us. Michigan a few years ago had a collection of top picks. All it got them was a FF, but it had been a long drought for them and they were desperate. They rode the talent and momentum to three consecutive FF.

Pros:
—PSU is now on par talent-wise with pretty much every team in the land. Two Hobey finalists plus two elite NHL prospects (maybe more on the way, Martone or Misa???). We will not be sneaking up on anyone because we won’t have to. (See below)
— Guy will now be able to roll three-four top level lines out against everyone.
— the exposure from having the top nhl prospect is priceless. Plus we are now seen as top tier. We’ve arrived on the national hockey scene. Whatever we paid is probably already paying dividends.

Cons:
— We will not sneak up on anyone. We will now be the hunted.
— Pressure just went up exponentially. All the blue and white chips are in the pot. Goaltending is now key, as we should be able to score with anyone.
— No Allentown in 2026. Might have to go thru Loveland, Colo., (Denver hosting) or Fargo (NoDak hosting). Not impossible, but Allentown has become Pegula East for us. Albany or Worcester easier travel as well. Seeding will be key. Performing better in the B1G will be important as well. No playoff road trips, not that we haven’t proven we can win on the road in the B1G playoff.
— Are the one and dones cultural fits? I was worried, but my son reminded me that hockey players are typically not divas, mostly a humble sport.

And there you have it. I don’t know if the plan was to actually arrive on the national scene as a power by 2025 (12 years), but here we are.
 

STPGopherfan

All-Conference
Aug 10, 2001
32,588
1,486
113
What you are speculating is entirely possible.

This one and done phenomena is not unheard of elsewhere in college hockey, but it’s new to us. Michigan a few years ago had a collection of top picks. All it got them was a FF, but it had been a long drought for them and they were desperate. They rode the talent and momentum to three consecutive FF.

Pros:
—PSU is now on par talent-wise with pretty much every team in the land. Two Hobey finalists plus two elite NHL prospects (maybe more on the way, Martone or Misa???). We will not be sneaking up on anyone because we won’t have to. (See below)
— Guy will now be able to roll three-four top level lines out against everyone.
— the exposure from having the top nhl prospect is priceless. Plus we are now seen as top tier. We’ve arrived on the national hockey scene. Whatever we paid is probably already paying dividends.

Cons:
— We will not sneak up on anyone. We will now be the hunted.
— Pressure just went up exponentially. All the blue and white chips are in the pot. Goaltending is now key, as we should be able to score with anyone.
— No Allentown in 2026. Might have to go thru Loveland, Colo., (Denver hosting) or Fargo (NoDak hosting). Not impossible, but Allentown has become Pegula East for us. Albany or Worcester easier travel as well. Seeding will be key. Performing better in the B1G will be important as well. No playoff road trips, not that we haven’t proven we can win on the road in the B1G playoff.
— Are the one and dones cultural fits? I was worried, but my son reminded me that hockey players are typically not divas, mostly a humble sport.

And there you have it. I don’t know if the plan was to actually arrive on the national scene as a power by 2025 (12 years), but here we are.
You have actually been in the hunted class for a while now. One and dones can be tricky, but with chemistry, you may waltz into the Frozen Four.
 
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nittanymoops

Senior
Feb 4, 2004
604
982
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You have actually been in the hunted class for a while now. One and dones can be tricky, but with chemistry, you may waltz into the Frozen Four.
I appreciate your kind words and your friendly contributions to our hockey threads, and this is just my opinion, but we have had some good seasons and positive outcomes, but we had not reached that level until this past postseason.

After we joined the B1G and Pegula was built, I wanted to get in on the ground floor so I bought season tix. Mostly for wintertime fun, nice events with my young children, etc. I would allow others to use the tix or sold them for several years. But one thing I always did was go to the games vs Minnesota. I studied up on college hockey and you guys were the top ranked team the year we joined. I figured the Gophers should be the measuring stick. And that first year it was eye opening. It was Rocky vs Creed without the happy ending. The differences in size, speed and depth were shocking. Little by little we clawed our way to equality with the Gophers, but it was also due to slippage in the Gopher program. PSU has rarely had a winning record in conference play and only once had more than 10 wins. But we’ve been the underdog and nowhere near as deep as the conference elite.

We were the proverbial little engine that could. We had some good players and a few have made it to the NHL for a cup of coffee, but nowhere near the talent at the upper echelons of the B1G. That is finally changing. The near miss in 2023 helped us land some talent, and finally reaching the FF is paying immediate dividends.
 

Mister Magoo

Junior
Jul 16, 2001
133
216
43
Geez Bob. Let’s walk back from the ledge.

1. This is the first year CHL players were allowed to play at NCAA schools.

2. Gavin is the best Canadian prospect to EVER play in the NCAA. He’s coming to PSU. I’d have never thought that possible. Michigan, BC, N Dakota would have been my guesses. I freakin love it.

3. let’s root like hell for the kid. If he has a good experience at PSU, more will follow. Gadowski can become Coach K/Calipiari of hockey. Keep bringing those Canadian lads down. Jackson Smith was also a 1st round pick. He will stay more than one year.

4. How can a 17 year old from Western Canada, with $$$$, not have a great year?
On/off the ice. Obviously, weather isn’t an issue.

5. I know you’re gonna get biggly mad when he misses a few games to play for Canada in World Juniors. Maybe, we can get mom/dad some PSU merch to wear.

6. only bad side is that my guys Don Cherry and Bobby Orr won’t be able to coach him in prospects game next year. Grapes will blow a gasket.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,138
30,364
113
Geez Bob. Let’s walk back from the ledge.

1. This is the first year CHL players were allowed to play at NCAA schools.

2. Gavin is the best Canadian prospect to EVER play in the NCAA. He’s coming to PSU. I’d have never thought that possible. Michigan, BC, N Dakota would have been my guesses. I freakin love it.

3. let’s root like hell for the kid. If he has a good experience at PSU, more will follow. Gadowski can become Coach K/Calipiari of hockey. Keep bringing those Canadian lads down. Jackson Smith was also a 1st round pick. He will stay more than one year.

4. How can a 17 year old from Western Canada, with $$$$, not have a great year?
On/off the ice. Obviously, weather isn’t an issue.

5. I know you’re gonna get biggly mad when he misses a few games to play for Canada in World Juniors. Maybe, we can get mom/dad some PSU merch to wear.

6. only bad side is that my guys Don Cherry and Bobby Orr won’t be able to coach him in prospects game next year. Grapes will blow a gasket.

I tend to be a pi$$-face wet mop when it comes to PSU. It doesn’t help that I’m a cynical sh|thead when it comes to NIL. o_O .

😞
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,138
30,364
113
Basket weaving 101; Music Appreciation; Fine Wine Tasting; Crypto currency investments……

Is it too much to ask McKenna during his commitment announcement to say that the library and Creamery sold him on PSU? For f*ck’s sake.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,138
30,364
113
I understand McKenna chose Penn State over msu.

This is what we’re up against.
 

STPGopherfan

All-Conference
Aug 10, 2001
32,588
1,486
113
I appreciate your kind words and your friendly contributions to our hockey threads, and this is just my opinion, but we have had some good seasons and positive outcomes, but we had not reached that level until this past postseason.

After we joined the B1G and Pegula was built, I wanted to get in on the ground floor so I bought season tix. Mostly for wintertime fun, nice events with my young children, etc. I would allow others to use the tix or sold them for several years. But one thing I always did was go to the games vs Minnesota. I studied up on college hockey and you guys were the top ranked team the year we joined. I figured the Gophers should be the measuring stick. And that first year it was eye opening. It was Rocky vs Creed without the happy ending. The differences in size, speed and depth were shocking. Little by little we clawed our way to equality with the Gophers, but it was also due to slippage in the Gopher program. PSU has rarely had a winning record in conference play and only once had more than 10 wins. But we’ve been the underdog and nowhere near as deep as the conference elite.

We were the proverbial little engine that could. We had some good players and a few have made it to the NHL for a cup of coffee, but nowhere near the talent at the upper echelons of the B1G. That is finally changing. The near miss in 2023 helped us land some talent, and finally reaching the FF is paying immediate dividends.
No arguments with your very insightful post. What I have seen in Penn State hockey is continual improvement from day 1. The last three seasons have IMHO been eye openers. That is when I noticed that the skating Lions will be in the Frozen Four sooner than later. This last season, it appeared that everything finally clicked. It happened. Tip of the cap! I won't be surprised to see Penn State and Michigan ranked at the top.

Regarding slippage of the Gophers. You are correct. This season 'we' had talent, but at key times there were serious lapses in focus and play. Coaching? Grit? Ran out of gas. Players quit playing(Two or three players went right to NHL gigs)? Anyway, the team better figure it out and fast.
 

Mister Magoo

Junior
Jul 16, 2001
133
216
43
I tend to be a pi$$-face wet mop when it comes to PSU. It doesn’t help that I’m a cynical sh|thead when it comes to NIL. o_O .

😞
I’m not crazy about NIL either. But, it’s the world we live in. We either pay players. Or,
become irrelevant.

I google mapped his hometown. Whitehorse, Yukon. It’s NE of Juneau, Alaska!! He played in the thriving metropolis of Medicine Hat, Alberta last year. Kid is going to love Hockey Valley😂
 
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nittanymoops

Senior
Feb 4, 2004
604
982
93
The sky seems bluer this morning ... almost like McKenna's skin on TV last night.

As if that wasn't enough, Sparty took another shot yesterday when their Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard was traded to Edmonton and quit the team to go pro. So go easy on your Sparty friends since they two two shots directly in the nards yesterday.

Now can we get the rest of the schedule? I think every other B1G program has released their OOC contests.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,138
30,364
113
The sky seems bluer this morning ... almost like McKenna's skin on TV last night.

As if that wasn't enough, Sparty took another shot yesterday when their Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard was traded to Edmonton and quit the team to go pro. So go easy on your Sparty friends since they two two shots directly in the nards yesterday.

Now can we get the rest of the schedule? I think every other B1G program has released their OOC contests.

IMG_2732.jpeg
 

CyphaPSU

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2021
981
1,648
93
There is also the decision about first-round pick Porter Martone looming over the horizon. If he doesn’t make the Flyers roster this year, the speculation is the NCAA is a likely destination with the Nittany Lions very much in contention for his recruitment.

Maybe he will make the Flyers roster. Maybe he will go the NCAA route but choose another school like MSU. But, as a Flyers fan, the fact that there is even a conversation about a player potentially playing for the Flyers or Penn State is a new and surreal experience.