With the Penn State men hockey’s season opener just around the corner, coach Guy Gadowsky took the podium to kick off the pre-season festivities with Media Day.
Gadowsky opened up media day with a hope-filled remark.
“Obviously, coming from last year was an excellent year for this program,” Gadowsky said. “We took some steps, but that process started at least over two years prior, so this year, we’re saying this is going to be a great year. We’re either going to put it all together and have another precedent-setting season, or we are going to prepare for a precedent-setting year.”
Penn State finished last season one win short of what would have been its first Frozen Four appearance, losing in overtime to Michigan.
Penn State named three key pieces from that team as its captains.
Christian Berger will wear the C, and Christian Sarlo and Xander Lamppa as alternates.
Berger is a senior defenseman who was named to the Allentown Regional’s All-Tournament team for his performance in the NCAA Tournament.
Lamppa and Sarlo are both forwards.
Lamppa has nine goals and 20 assists over three seasons. Sarlo has 17 and 23.
Gadowsky explained what went into naming his captains.
“It’s not a surprise to anybody that’s been around the program,” Gadowsky said. “Because of how they are. But we wanted to get the input of the team. We did so in various ways last year. But we wanted new players to come in and have their say as well. It was very clear that they were the three guys that the team selected, and it’s really nice when the coaching staff agrees with that. The reason why I think all three of them were selected was because it’s very evident that they’re here for the right reasons.
“All three of them are committed to the right things. They’re committed to themselves as athletes, themselves as students, they’re committed to this university and they show it. So, they are great in the weight room, specifically, I mean Christian (Berger’s) been that way forever, and then Sarlo and Lamppa have really elevated what they’ve done commitment-wise within the past couple of years. But again, all three of them, excellent students, excellent work ethic, excellent contributors to Penn State University and this community. That’s why they were chosen.
This will be Gadowsky’s 24th season at the helm of an NCAA Division I program and his 12th at Penn State. Gadowsky led the Nittany Lions to an overall record of 22-16-1 last year.
Along with the captains, the team also returns starting goaltender Liam Souliere.
Penn State’s road back to the NCAA Tournament won’t be easy. The team faces challenges in both its Big Ten and nonconference schedule.
Notable Games This Season:
(Out Of Conference Games )
- Penn State @ LIU – Oct 7th – 7 pm Start
- Penn State vs. American International – Oct 21st – 7 pm start
- Penn State vs. Army – Jan 6th – 6 pm start
(In Conference Games)
- Penn State vs. Notre Dame – Nov 4th – TBA
- Penn State vs. Minnesota – Dec 1st – TBA
- Penn State vs. Ohio State – Jan 27th – TBA
