If there’s anybody who knows about the rise of Penn State hockey from a club team to a Division I program, it’s Tommy Olczyk. The senior committed to the Nittany Lions when Pegula Ice Arena was “just a blueprint,” but five years later, Olczyk leaves the program after a successful 21-13-4 season.

The former team captain wrote an open letter to to his “Nittany Lions Family” discussing his time in Happy Valley for the Players’ Tribune, the media outlet started by Derek Jeter that allows players to tell their own stories.

How @tommyolczyk and @PennStateMHKY built a D-I hockey program. https://t.co/nXIxtWpzML pic.twitter.com/xocNhMXxlD

— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 19, 2016

Olczyk writes about the humble beginnings of Penn State hockey and how it got to where it is now — or as Olczyk phrased it, “going from the outhouse to the penthouse.” He shares a number of stories, whether it was meeting coach Guy Gadowsky for the first time or playing in Madison Square Garden as a senior. Olczyk wraps up the article by thanking those who have helped build “Hockey Valley,” and says he’ll always have pride for Penn State.

Olczyk will graduate with his master’s degree in accounting in May. He’s “not ready to hang ’em [skates] up yet,” though. He plans to still play hockey professionally, although he’s unsure where at this point. If there’s one thing Penn Staters have learned watching Olczyk over the years, it’s this: You can never count him out. Best of luck and thank you to Olczyk as he leaves Penn State.