Every good hockey team needs a glue guy. Someone who is gritty and will do whatever it takes to help his team win is crucial for long-term success. For Penn State men’s hockey, that player is Lev Katzin.

The Thornhill, Ontario, native arrived in Happy Valley this past offseason after making the switch from the Ontario Hockey League. During his one-year stint with the Guelph Storm last season, he tallied 48 points in 44 games played.

But while the forward has spent the beginning of the season playing in the bottom-six, it’s hard to find a bigger workhorse and more team-centric player than Katzin.

Despite standing at just 5 feet and 8 inches, Katzin has proven to be one of the strongest members of the group. He plays with intensity and won’t back down from anyone. 

At the end of Friday night’s victory over Clarkson, Katzin got into a bit of a scrum with one of the Golden Knights players on the ice. Though his opponent had a significant size advantage, Katzin was able to wrestle him to the ground in an effort to stand up for his team. 

“He’s going to own the majority, if not all the lifting records,” Guy Gadowsky said of his winger. “He’s just so powerful.”

Having his teammates’ backs is one of the things Katzin takes the most pride in while wearing the Penn State sweater. He is a true locker room guy and is liked by nearly everyone he meets. 

“He is a dynamite player. He’s a dynamite character. He’s a dynamite personality,” Gadowsky said. “They’re already calling him the mayor of Penn State. He just loves it here, and it’s so great to be around him because he’s so positive and happy.”

Having a player who brings good vibes to the team can do wonders for a program. The guys on the bench feed off his energy, and it motivates them to play harder as well. Despite not playing on the same line, Charlie Cerrato shares this sentiment. 

“Lev has embraced his role to the fullest. I know he’s such a young guy, and he’s so mature,” Cerrato said of Katzin. To see him get fired up, moving his feet, playing his butt off, getting a chance to create momentum, is awesome.”

It’s easy to say that about a teammate who puts his body on the line to win. Whether that be in the form of blocking shots or even just getting pucks in deep, Katzin doesn’t concern himself with what appears on the scoresheet as long as it results in a Nittany Lion victory. 

While Katzin still has personal goals, they are intertwined with those of the team. Growing up, he had always been a competitive kid. Winning was at the center of everything. He grew up idolizing Stanley Cup champion Brad Marchand and wanted to mimic his physicality and success in his own way. 

Katzin was a 2025 IIHF U18 World Champion, so it’s no surprise he feels the same drive to get to the top of the hockey world in the NCAA.

“People love winners,” Katzin said. “You get personal goals from your team winning, and one of my biggest personal goals this year is winning a National Championship.”

As evident by his scuffle in the Clarkson series, Katzin is a very physical player. He prides himself on his ability to play with toughness. He embodies what it means to play on the fourth line and exemplifies a gritty mentality required for success at a high level.

“Every time I get hit or I hit someone, I know it either fires up the other team, which fires me up, or it fires up my team, which also fires me up,” Katzin said.

There is a fine line between not being physical enough and being overly physical to the point it hurts the team. Katzin does a great job walking this line and manages the game well. He balances staying out of the box and playing with intensity. 

Outside of the game itself, Katzin has embraced everything it means to be a Nittany Lion. He loves this school and his team, and feeds off the support from the blue and white faithful. 

“There’s nothing like this place anywhere else,” he said.   

As this season progresses, Katzin will continue to do his job on the right wing. While his linemates may change over the course of the year, his pride and tenacity will not waver. His frame may be undersized for a typical hockey player, but his spirit and talent are not. His fearless style of play will serve to benefit both Katzin and the entire team.

“We knew he was a really good player, and we heard that he was a great kid and a great teammate,” Gadowsky said. “But I tell you what, he’s as fun and attractive a teammate as you will ever find. We are really lucky to have him.”