Aiden Fink didn’t know he was about to make history, especially after coming back from a long-term injury. 

In the moment, he was doing what he’s always done at Penn State, playing his game, skating hard, and focusing on winning. With three assists against Minnesota, Fink reached the 100-point mark for his career, becoming the fastest player in Penn State men’s hockey history to do so.

“To achieve that? That means a lot,” Fink said. “Obviously, my main goal here is win the national championship. Super cool. Did not know about it. Kind of just wanted to play my game and battle for a national championship. That’s still my main goal.”

Fink hit the milestone in just 87 games, totaling 101 career points on 41 goals and 60 assists. It’s a benchmark that reflects not just elite offensive production, but consistency, something head coach Guy Gadowsky harped on.

“When he’s at his best, it’s his motor. He gives so much like, that’s one thing I just don’t think people understand,” Gadowsky said. “No one consistently is going to score every game or get points every game, but he will never not get points because he’s just cruising ever, like ever, I haven’t seen that out of him. He gives so much of himself in every game.”

The moment was definitely celebrated. 

“I mean, all the guys congratulated me on 100 points, and I was the fastest Penn Stater to do it,” Fink said. “Pretty cool. But yeah, no, everyone congratulated me on the bench and in the locker room.”

For Fink, the milestone was as much about the people who came before him. 

“They started this program. They did a lot for this program in the four years that they played here,” Fink said. “Obviously, getting texts back from the alumni was super cool. That’s what Penn State is. The alumni are awesome. They always watch, and they always congratulate and everything.”

Fink’s path to 100 points hasn’t been linear. After posting one of the most productive seasons in program history last year — 53 points in 40 games — he missed significant time this season due to injury. Returning midseason, he had to manage the physical and mental challenge of finding his rhythm again.

“I knew it was going to be difficult,” Fink said. “Hockey’s a tough game, and when you’ve been out for nine, ten weeks, you’re not going to get it right off the bat. You’ve got to kind of learn the game again.”

Still, the points came quickly once he settled back in. In just 13 games this season, Fink has already produced 14 points, including the assists that pushed him past the century mark. His shooting percentage hasn’t rebounded yet, but his influence has remained constant.

Gadowsky believes that influence extends well beyond the score sheet.

“Yes, he scores, and that’s really important, and how he does it is equally important,” Gadowsky said.

That “how” has been a recurring theme. Fink plays with pace. He pressures the puck. He backchecks. Even when the goals aren’t coming, he sets the standard for effort and consistency. 

The milestone weekend also came amid Penn State’s continued growth as a team following an extended break in December. Fink acknowledged the shift in approach that helped fuel recent offensive success.

“To be honest, shoot mentality,” Fink said. “The first half, we were too pretty, especially me. I tried to be way too pretty. Just getting pucks in the net, this weekend we had a couple goals where we just got pucks in there.”

He reached 100 points faster than anyone before him, but his focus remains on one thing only.

“Battle for a national championship,” Fink said. “That’s still my main goal.”