Penn State hockey forward Justin Poirier has eight points in his first six games. And he hasn’t even reached the part of the schedule that convinced him to come here.

The sophomore forward left Maine after a standout freshman season because he wanted something more. Not necessarily more goals or points, but a chance to test himself against some of the best players college hockey has to offer.

Now, after months of recovering from hip surgery and an impressive start with the Nittany Lions, Poirier is about to get exactly what he asked for.

Big Ten hockey.

“I think I had a great time at Maine, but it was time to move on to the Big Ten,” Poirier said at Penn State’s preseason media day. “I feel like the Big Ten is maybe closer to the pro level.”

Poirier pointed specifically to Michigan forward Michael Hage and the amount of NHL talent throughout the conference as reasons for making the move.

He wanted to test himself against faster competition and players who could help prepare him for the professional level.

“To play against these guys is going to be a better challenge,” Poirier said.

As a freshman at Maine, Poirier recorded 18 goals and 11 assists in just 27 games. He led the Black Bears with 29 points, and his scoring quickly made him one of the more dangerous young forwards in college hockey.

But a hip injury ended his season early and required surgery, forcing him to miss Maine’s final eight games.

The injury also disrupted his offseason preparation. Poirier spent months recovering rather than following a normal summer training schedule before arriving at Penn State.

“He’s been off the ice for so long and didn’t skate at all during the summer, and so he’s getting back, but you can just see his knack,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said after Saturday’s win against Canisius. “He is a goal scorer, and he’s a tough kid.”

Poirier’s transition to Penn State wasn’t entirely unfamiliar either.

He already had a relationship with fellow Montreal native Justin Larose, whom he described at media day as more of a brother than a friend. Both speak French, giving Poirier someone he can communicate with comfortably when things get difficult.

That familiarity has translated onto the ice, where the two have played alongside each other throughout the early season, primarily with Dane Dowiak at center.

Their chemistry has already shown up on the score sheet.

Poirier assisted on Larose’s Michigan-style goal against Sacred Heart before Larose returned the favor on Poirier’s first goal as a Nittany Lion against Robert Morris. The two also combined for assists on Kale Dach’s goal against Sacred Heart and Dowiak’s opening goal in Friday’s win over Canisius.

After Penn State’s opening weekend, when Poirier recorded three assists in two games, Larose praised his linemate for keeping things simple while helping create offensive opportunities.

“He’s playing really good, and just playing simple,” Larose said.

Poirier had continued producing even as Penn State struggled to find its footing.

During the Nittany Lions’ 0-4 start, he was one of the few players consistently generating offense. Against Robert Morris, Poirier scored both of Penn State’s goals in a 5-2 loss, including a power-play tally that briefly brought the Nittany Lions within one.

He followed that performance with an assist in Friday’s 5-1 win over Canisius before delivering another two-point night Saturday.

With Penn State trailing 2-1 in the third period, Poirier fired a one-timer from the left circle past Canisius goaltender Jack Lisson to tie the game. He then set up Jackson Smith for the overtime winner just 15 seconds into the extra period, completing Penn State’s comeback and weekend sweep.

“He’s got an absolute bomb,” Gadowsky said. “I wouldn’t say quietly, but yeah, he’s putting up points, right? He is producing.”

But scoring wasn’t the only thing he wanted to bring to Hockey Valley.

At media day, Poirier stressed becoming a complete player without sacrificing the offensive mentality that has defined his game.

“Just playing my game as an offensive forward up and down the rush, trying to be a 200-foot player,” Poirier said. “So keeping my offensive mentality.”

And Gadowsky has already seen progress in that area.

Following Friday’s win over Canisius, the head coach applauded Poirier’s checking effort alongside several teammates. It’s an important part of Poirier’s development, especially as the competition gets tougher.

Penn State enters its Big Ten opener with a 2-4 record after starting the season with four straight losses. The Nittany Lions will face Minnesota on Friday and Saturday before returning home to host Notre Dame the following weekend.

So Poirier’s early production has shown what he can bring to Penn State’s offense, even without a full offseason of preparation. But the Big Ten will let him measure his game against the competition he specifically sought out.

“I think I’m a pretty good offensive forward, so I’m not too scared about it,” Poirier said before the season.

Now, after six games showing what he can do, it’s time for Poirier to see how well that confidence translates to the Big Ten.