A new season brings a new-look Penn State hockey team, but the expectations in Hockey Valley haven’t changed.
No. 17 Penn State opens its 15th season of Division I hockey Friday against No. 16 UConn at the Ice Breaker Tournament before traveling to Fairfield, Connecticut, for a Saturday matchup with Sacred Heart.
Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m., with Friday’s contest at Toscano Family Ice Forum and Saturday’s at Martire Family Arena.
For head coach Guy Gadowsky, the opening weekend presents an early opportunity to evaluate a roster featuring 12 newcomers after the Nittany Lions lost 63% of their scoring from last season.
Penn State enters the season looking to build on consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including its historic Frozen Four run in 2025.
Here is what you need to know heading into opening weekend.
THE MATCHUP
Friday, October 9
- No. 17 Penn State at No. 16 UConn
- Location: Toscano Family Ice Forum, Storrs, Connecticut
- Time: 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 10
- No. 17 Penn State at Sacred Heart
- Location: Martire Family Arena, Fairfield, Connecticut
- Time: 7 p.m.
Radio: LionVision
Tournament: 2026 Ice Breaker Tournament
RINK INTEL: KEY THINGS TO WATCH
1. Penn State’s New-Look Offense Faces Its First Test
There is no disguising the offensive production Penn State must replace.
The Nittany Lions lost 63% of their points and 60% of their goals from the 2025-26 season, the largest losses in the Big Ten and among the highest nationally.
Five players signed NHL entry-level contracts following last season, headlined by Gavin McKenna, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.
However, Gadowsky didn’t spend the offseason simply looking for replacements.
Penn State added Maine transfer Justin Poirier, who brings proven collegiate scoring experience, along with an impressive collection of Canadian Hockey League talent.
Kale Dach, Justin Larose and Marco Mignosa headline a freshman group that combined for 398 goals and 951 points across 1,118 CHL games.
Those numbers demonstrate the offensive potential Penn State has assembled, but translating junior hockey success into immediate collegiate production is another challenge.
Against UConn, the Nittany Lions will face an established program coming off consecutive 20-win seasons.
How quickly Penn State’s newcomers establish chemistry could determine whether the Nittany Lions leave Connecticut with a successful opening weekend.
2. Jackson Smith and Mac Gadowsky Anchor the Blue Line
While Penn State’s forward group has undergone significant changes, the Nittany Lions have the luxury of returning two of the nation’s most productive defensemen.
Sophomore Jackson Smith enters the season as a preseason Second Team All-Big Ten selection after an impressive freshman campaign.
Smith scored 11 goals last season, setting Penn State’s single-season record for defensemen while leading all Big Ten blueliners.
His seven power-play goals led the nation among defensemen, and his 26 points ranked second among Big Ten defensemen.
Alongside Smith is senior Mac Gadowsky, who enters the season with 83 career points.
Gadowsky’s 62 career assists lead all returning defensemen nationally, while his 21 goals rank among the nation’s active leaders at the position.
The combination gives Penn State an experienced offensive presence on the back end, particularly important as its forwards develop chemistry.
With so much turnover up front, the Nittany Lions may need their defensemen to generate offense early in the season.
3. Goaltending Could Be Penn State’s Biggest Strength
Penn State enters the season with an intriguing situation between the pipes.
Sophomore Josh Fleming returns after establishing a program single-season record with a .924 save percentage.
Fleming finished last season 10-7-2 with a 2.61 goals-against average, ranking second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally in save percentage.
However, he will have competition from freshman Ryder Fetterolf.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ fourth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft arrives after earning both OHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year honors.
Fetterolf posted a 29-9-3 record with the Ottawa 67’s, recording a 2.07 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and six shutouts.
His six shutouts established rookie records in both the OHL and CHL.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Whether Gadowsky elects to split the opening weekend between Fleming and Fetterolf or gives one goaltender an opportunity to establish himself will be worth monitoring.
With two capable options, Penn State has the potential to make goaltending a defining strength of this team.
4. UConn Presents an Immediate Challenge
Penn State won’t have the luxury of easing into its season.
UConn finished 20-13-5 last season, reaching the Hockey East championship game for the second consecutive year before falling to Merrimack, 2-1.
The Huskies subsequently lost to Michigan State, 2-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Although UConn must replace several key contributors, including leading scorer Ryan Tattle and starting goaltender Tyler Muszelik, the Huskies return one of college hockey’s most dangerous goal scorers.
Senior Joey Muldowney scored 17 goals last season and enters the weekend with 51 career goals and 91 points.
Muldowney’s ability to finish scoring opportunities will test a Penn State defense that must establish its identity early.
The Nittany Lions also have some recent history working in their favor.
Penn State is unbeaten in its last three meetings against UConn, including a memorable 3-2 overtime victory in the 2025 NCAA Allentown Regional final that sent the program to its first Frozen Four.
However, only 11 players combined from both rosters remain from that regional championship game.
Friday represents a new chapter rather than a continuation of that postseason meeting.
5. Special Teams Could Determine Opening Weekend
One of Penn State’s biggest advantages last season came from its special teams.
The Nittany Lions converted 26% of their power-play opportunities, ranking eighth nationally, and scored a program-record 38 power-play goals.
Their penalty kill was equally impressive, operating at 83.7% to lead the Big Ten.
The challenge entering this season is replacing the players responsible for much of that production.
Only 14 of Penn State’s 38 power-play goals return, leaving the Nittany Lions without 63% of their man-advantage scoring.
Smith provides an established weapon after producing seven power-play goals and 13 points last season.
Meanwhile, captain Dane Dowiak remains a dangerous shorthanded threat.
Dowiak scored four shorthanded goals last season and enters the year with six for his career, just three shy of Penn State’s all-time record held by current assistant coach Andrew Sturtz.
With new offensive combinations still developing, special teams could provide Penn State with an important advantage against both opponents.
6. Scouting Sacred Heart
Saturday’s opponent shouldn’t be overlooked.
Sacred Heart finished 24-14-3 last season and reached the Atlantic Hockey championship game before losing to Bentley, 3-2.
The Pioneers enter the season as the preseason favorites to win Atlantic Hockey, although they face significant roster turnover.
Seven of their top eight scorers departed, including All-American Felix Trudeau, who produced 25 goals and 48 points last season.
Sacred Heart lost 69% of its offensive production, making its situation remarkably similar to Penn State’s.
However, the Pioneers return one of the nation’s most accomplished goaltenders in junior Ajeet Gundarah.
Gundarah posted a 13-7-1 record with a .928 save percentage and 2.09 goals-against average last season.
His career .933 save percentage leads all active Division I goaltenders entering the season.
Penn State owns a 6-0 all-time record against Sacred Heart and has outscored the Pioneers 32-14.
Saturday will mark the first meeting between the programs in seven years.
