Penn State men’s hockey is already opening the season shorthanded without the likes of Keaton Peters and Cade Christenson to long-term injuries, but they’ll have one more key player unavailable as they start the campaign on the road Friday night.

Freshman defenseman Jackson Smith, one of several prized recruits for Guy Gadowsky’s coaching staff this offseason, has been listed as a scratch on the team’s pregame lineup card before Friday night’s action.

No reason has been given for why Smith was scratched, but he is listed there alongside Peters, Christenson, and Alex Servagno. Nick Fascia is in the lineup, paired with alternate captain Jarod Crespo on the third defensive pair. Omaha transfer Kevin Reidler is listed as the team’s starting goaltender, making his Penn State debut.

Smith was selected with the No. 14 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets shortly after committing to Penn State. He is the highest-drafted player in the history of the program, joining the team after 54 points in 68 games with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League in 2024-25.