Head coach Guy Gadowsky didn’t hide his excitement about the roster’s elite additions, but he made it equally clear that maintaining Penn State’s blue-collar culture remains the priority.
At the center of attention is 17-year-old freshman phenom forward Gavin McKenna, who is being seen as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Gadowsky described as possessing a hockey sense unlike anything he has seen.
“He manipulates time and space in a very unique and amazing way,” Gadowsky said. “I can’t explain how he does it, and that’s what makes him special.”
Still, the coach acknowledged that McKenna’s biggest challenge will be physical: adapting to play against older, as much as eight years older, and stronger athletes who have years of collegiate-level experience of the 33 game grind.
The staff’s approach is to let McKenna create freely with the puck while focusing their coaching on key refinements such as off-puck habits required for the NHL.
Overall, Gadowsky referred to McKenna as “extremely easy hang,” and has really adapted to college life.
Gadowsky had praise for Penn State’s other highly touted newcomers.
The Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick Jackson Smith, a 6’4” defenseman with an NHL frame and skating ability that Gadowsky described as an “absolute thoroughbred,” possesses the ability to elevate Penn State’s transition game and power play.
Gadowsky felt the addition of Smith was the biggest impact because it would be a major influence in getting McKenna to Penn State.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Transfer defenseman Mac Gadowsky, who was a Hobey Baker Top 10 finalist and led the nation in goal scoring amongst defensemen (16 goals), provides key scoring from the blue line and adds size.
Gadowsky asked if there was any awkwardness of recruiting his son when he became available.
“When it became apparent that the season he was having and…he was going to transfer once that happened became very apparent that he had a lot of choices from all leagues including ours,it was the assistants that really came in and demanded that I sort of allow this to happen,” Gadowsky said.
“They were like hey look we’re either playing with him or against him. That’s the way it went. So, I guess there was a bit of awkwardness with the assistants, you know, coming in and pounding their fists and saying, ‘Hey, like this is real. We got to do this for the program.’ After that, it was just like any other player.”
Forward Shae Van Holm, who led the WHL in goals (49), is described as a tough, team-first player.
Another true freshman Lev Katzen is adding toughness and grit to the lineup. Teammates refer to him as “Mr. Penn State” because he embodies the program’s pride and accepts the roles given to him.
Perhaps most important to Gadowsky is how this talent fits within Penn State’s team identity and culture.
Practices remain short, intense, and highly competitive, with veterans setting the tone for physicality and effort.
“This is a lot better than when we started and the only expectation was that we were going to get killed,” Gadowsky reflected. “Now players come here because they want those high expectations.”
Penn State’s men’s hockey faces off against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona on Friday, the puck drops at 10 PM (Eastern) on NHL Network.
