It’s hockey time, folks!

On Tuesday, Penn State men’s hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky met with the media to discuss the upcoming season ahead of the season opener on Friday, October 9, against UConn.

Here’s a compilation of what Gadowsky said about the Nittany Lions.

On The Team’s Identity

When asked what Penn State hockey looks like when it’s playing right, Gadowsky didn’t hesitate.

“Extremely fast, aggressive. We play to score, and we’re very creative. That’s it in a nutshell,” Gadowsky said. “That’s what the fans that come to Pegula Ice Arena every weekend expect to see. And I think it’s not only winning hockey. I think it’s great development hockey, and I think it’s a blast.”

That approach has shaped preseason practice, too. Gadowsky said the staff has shuffled the forward lines constantly and hasn’t settled on any combinations yet.

“The only thing we’ve settled on is that we will probably try many, and that our goal is to score through tempo and committee, not just two top ones,” he said.

On Captains This Season

Penn State will go with two primary captains this season: Dane Dowiak and Reese Laubach. For Gadowsky, the pair represents exactly what the program wants this year.

Both played major offensive roles on the 2024-25 Frozen Four team, then took on different roles last season without complaint as the roster shifted around the increase in CHL talent.

“They didn’t bat an eye. They’re incredibly team-first guys,” Gadowsky said. “They are the epitome of the stripes of Penn State hockey. They’re tough, energetic warrior guys that score. Yes, we like to score pretty goals off the rush, but we score a lot of hardworking, gritty goals as well, and they do both really well.”

On The Gavin McKenna Impact

Gavin McKenna’s college career lasted just one season before he went first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, but Gadowsky said his impact on the program will last much longer.

“Extremely grateful for the opportunity to get to coach him, and of course we would have loved multiple years,” Gadowsky said. “But the opportunity to have him for one was just fantastic.”

Gadowsky said the whole program, not just the coaching staff, learned what it takes to support a player of McKenna’s profile. He was especially impressed with how the 18-year-old handled the attention.

“I think he was just awesome at handling the noise, really, really good,” Gadowsky said. “We’re a much better program because of it.”

The effects of having McKenna are already visible on the recruiting trail. Gadowsky said a summer recruiting trip back to Canada showed him just how far Penn State’s reach has grown.

“I’ve never seen more Penn State jerseys in the summer,” he said. “So it’s a good thing.”

On Andrew Kuzma

One of the best preseason stories is the return of Andrew Kuzma.

Kuzma arrived two years ago as a highly coveted forward with big expectations. During that preseason, Penn State’s medical staff discovered a heart condition that required surgery, and he missed the entire year without being allowed to train.

He spent last season back in juniors before returning to Happy Valley this fall.

“It warms your heart,” Gadowsky said. “To see him back in blue and white, it’s wonderful. It’s wonderful for him.”

Gadowsky credited the university’s medical and athletic training staff for supporting Kuzma throughout the process, and said Kuzma’s gratitude shows every time he steps on the ice.

“Even in practice, you can see that he doesn’t take one shift for granted,” Gadowsky said. “He’s just so grateful to be out here.”

Gadowsky said Kuzma’s return is about more than what he adds on the stat sheet.

“Having him back is not only great for our performance, but just the feel that we have watching him back on the ice,” he said.