Penn State men’s hockey has been ranked No. 5 in the 2025-26 preseason USCHO poll, the organization announced Monday.

The Nittany Lions are the second-highest ranked team in the Big Ten behind only No. 3 Michigan State, while four other conference opponents are ranked, with Minnesota at No. 8, Michigan at No. 12, Ohio State at No. 16, and Wisconsin at No. 20.

Penn State, which received three first-place votes to begin this year, finished last season at No. 5 after a run to the Frozen Four, where it lost in the national semifinals to Boston University, which begins this season at No. 2.

This year’s team will headline freshmen Gavin McKenna and Jackson Smith, transfer Mac Gadowsky, and returners Aiden Fink, Matt DiMarsico, JJ Wiebusch, and more.

The 2025-26 season will begin on Friday, October 3, with a road series against No. 14 Arizona State. Puck drop for game one is slated for 9 p.m. EST, while game two will start at 7 p.m. EST on October 4.

About the Author

Michael Siroty

Michael Siroty is a junior from Westfield, New Jersey, majoring in broadcast journalism. When he isn't writing articles or making TikToks for Onward State, Siroty is probably somewhere talking about college sports. You can contact him to discuss your sushi order or music taste on Instagram and X @msiroty or by email at [email protected].

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