Penn State men’s hockey’s roster is one step closer to taking shape for the fall now that the program announced its full 2021 recruiting class on Wednesday.

In total, head coach Guy Gadowsky added five forwards and one defenseman to the new class. Transfer forward Ben Copeland and forward Carson Dyck had already signed with the Nittany Lions earlier this month, but Gadowsky added four new players, too.

Daniyal Dzhaniyev committed to Penn State in 2018 as a 15-year-old and signed his letter of intent in November 2020. The Brooklyn native recently finished his only season with the USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints. Dzhaniyev ranked third on the team with 18 goals and added 18 assists in 49 games played. He was also a member of the 2019 United States U17 team that won the Five Nations Tournament in Sweden.

Ryan Kirwan was also added to the 2021 class. The 6’2″ forward played the 2020-21 season with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers after committing to play for the Nittany Lions in August 2017. The Brooklyn native ranked second on the Gamblers with 21 goals and tallied 16 assists to total 37 points in 50 games.

In his previous season, Kirwan played for the USHL’s Madison Capitols while leading the team with 25 goals and ranking second with 41 points in 50 games. He was also named to the 2019-20 USHL All-Rookie team.

“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt of attending Penn State,” Kirwan said. “The facilities are the best in college hockey and no rink gets louder than Pegula Ice Arena. The coaching staff is top-notch, and it was an easy decision for me to make.”

Simon Mack is the lone defenseman in the incoming 2021 class. Hailing from Brockville, Ontario, Mack committed to Penn State in February 2017. He played one season with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers and tallied four goals and seven assists in 51 games played. Before his time in the USHL, Mack played two seasons for the CCHL’s Brockville Braves and earned the team’s Top Defenseman Award following the 2018-19 season.

Perhaps one of the best playmakers in the new class, Ben Schoen committed to Penn State in August 2019. The 5’8″ forward played his past three seasons in the USHL for the Youngstown Phantoms and Tri-City Storm after being traded during the 2020-21 season. Schoen scored 17 goals and 13 assists in 41 games played between the two clubs last season.