Pierce Mbuyi’s path to Penn State started before the NCAA door fully opened for Canadian Hockey League players.
The Owen Sound Attack forward and Penn State commit said the Nittany Lions were one of the first college programs to reach out during his OHL draft year. Even after Mbuyi chose the OHL route, Penn State stayed connected. When the eligibility rule change opened the path for CHL players to play NCAA hockey, Guy Gadowsky and his staff quickly re-entered the picture.
That persistence helped make Penn State feel like the right fit.
“Penn (State) was kind of one of the first schools to reach out in my OHL draft year,” Mbuyi said at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine. “They took me on a tour, really brought me and my dad down … and as soon as I got there, they have such great facilities and they were super welcoming with me and my dad.”
Once the rule change came, Penn State did not hesitate.
“Once the rule change happened, again they called right away,” Mbuyi said. “So I kind of knew that Penn State was for me.”
For Gadowsky, Mbuyi represents the type of player Penn State can pursue in the new college hockey landscape. He is an OHL forward with NHL Draft attention, leadership traits, a high compete level and a development path that fits what the Nittany Lions have been trying to build in Hockey Valley.
Mbuyi said his connection with Gadowsky was immediate. The Penn State coach’s energy, honesty and playing style stood out.
“Guy is an awesome coach, awesome guy,” Mbuyi said. “Ever since I met him, they’re just super happy, super positive with me. His energy that he brings, his play style at Penn State that they play, I think it all fits my game really well.”
Gadowsky’s pitch was not built on overpromising. According to Mbuyi, it was direct.
“He kind of just told me the truth,” Mbuyi said. “He told me what he wanted from me. He told me what he would expect of me if I get there. He was very open and honest with me, so that’s kind of what drew me to him.”
Mbuyi plans to return to Owen Sound next season, where he is expected to be a major part of the Attack’s future after being given the captaincy late last season. He described himself as a player who leads through compete, respect and accountability.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“I’m not scared to call guys out,” Mbuyi said. “Obviously it’s all out of love, but I just want everyone around me to be the best that they can be.”
That leadership profile is important for Penn State. Mbuyi is not just a skill addition. He is a culture piece.
He also sees the NCAA path as a developmental advantage. Mbuyi said the college game offers more time in the weight room, more practice time, older competition and the benefit of an education. He acknowledged that he needs to add weight and continue developing physically.
That makes Penn State’s environment attractive. For a player who models parts of his game after Brayden Point and Zach Benson, Mbuyi brings the profile of a hard-working, undersized forward who wants to play with edge, responsibility and offensive pace.
He also already has a future Penn State connection in Jaxon Cover. The two OHL forwards share the same agency and have talked frequently about their future in Hockey Valley.
“Me and Cove talk a lot about Penn State,” Mbuyi said. “We’re super excited to get things going there.”
For Penn State, landing Mbuyi is another sign of where the program is heading. The Nittany Lions are no longer just trying to find college players. They are recruiting NHL Draft-caliber talent from major junior programs.
Mbuyi’s commitment shows that Gadowsky’s message is resonating: development, honesty, pace, facilities and opportunity.
And when Mbuyi eventually arrives in State College, Penn State will be getting more than an OHL forward.
It will be getting a competitor, a leader and a player who already believes Hockey Valley is where his next step belongs.
