Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540433
5 6 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M W hen the idea of a Division I Penn State men's ice hockey team was first conceived in 2005, the goal was to build the kind of program that could one day rank among the NCAA's best. Two decades later, with the Nittany Lions fresh off their first Frozen Four ap- pearance, the mission, at least on paper, has been accomplished. Head coach Guy Gadowsky's team is among the favorites to win the 2026 na- tional title. The Lions have been buoyed by the arrival of the most highly rated prospect in program history, and they also boast NHL-caliber talent on offense, defense and in net. With experienced players returning from last year's joyride to the national semifinals, and an unprecedented talent infusion bolstering its outlook, Penn State entered the 2025-26 season ranked fifth in the USCHO.com coaches' poll. PSU's players and coaches are embrac- ing the attention they've received so far, as well as the expectations that have fol- lowed. "We know that what we did last year is pretty special," said Dane Dowiak, a junior forward and team captain. "We're going to have a target on our back every night, and we're going to get every team's best game. "We're not going to change what we have to do each night. We're going to hold to our own values and what we know as a team. I don't think we're looking to make too much of the numbers, where we're ranked or anything. We just want to win." The Newcomers Any assessment of Penn State's outlook this season has to start with celebrated newcomer Gavin McKenna. McKenna, a 6-foot, 170-pound fresh- man forward, is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, but he's playing a year of collegiate hockey in the interim. The reigning Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, he picked the Nittany Lions over Michigan State this past sum- mer as part of his transition from the ju- nior level to the NHL. Expectations for McKenna's first — and presumably only — college season are through the roof. He tallied 129 points on 41 goals and 88 assists in leading the Medicine Hat Tigers to an appearance in the Memorial Cup finals last season. "His work ethic is excellent," Gadowsky said. "He fits into our locker room ex- tremely well. He's extremely quick and fast, and he's also in great shape." The veteran coach added that McK- enna "thinks the game differently. He's a different animal when it comes to that — not only compared to other freshmen but compared to anybody." Despite all the hype, McKenna's mes- sage at the team's preseason media day was clear: He just wants to do whatever it takes to help Penn State win. "Seeing what these guys did last year, making it to the Frozen Four, that was a big influence on me," he said. "I wanted to come to a winning team, and I thought this was the spot." McKenna is not the only high-profile newcomer on the roster. Far from it, in fact. Junior defenseman Mac Gadowsky transferred in from Army and will play for his father at PSU. Last season, the younger Gadowsky was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to college hockey's top player. Joining Gadowsky on the blue line is freshman Jackson Smith. The No. 14 over- all pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2025 NHL Draft, Smith comes to Penn State after scoring 11 goals and netting 43 ICE HOCKEY NEW AND IMPROVED Boasting talented returnees and elite newcomers, PSU eyes another trip to the Frozen Four G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Gavin McKenna is playing what will likely be his lone season of college hockey at Penn State. He is expected to be the top overall pick in next year's NHL Draft. PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS