Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey

(Redirected from The Roar Zone)

Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey, formerly known as the Penn State Icers (the name for the former ACHA team), is a college ice hockey program that represents the Pennsylvania State University.[3] Prior to the 2012–13 season the program was designated a club sport and competed at the ACHA Division I level. PSU was previously a member of the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL, although the team competed as an independent ACHA D-I member for the 2011–12 season before moving to the NCAA D-I level.[4][5][6] They play at the Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania.[7]

Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey
Current season
Penn State Nittany Lions athletic logo
UniversityPennsylvania State University
ConferenceBig Ten
Governing BodyNCAA
First season1909–10[1]
Athletic directorPatrick Kraft
Head coachGuy Gadowsky
12th season, 196–172–28 .530
Assistant coaches
  • Keith Fisher
  • Juliano Pagliero
  • Andrew Sturtz
ArenaPegula Ice Arena
University Park, Pennsylvania
Student sectionRoar Zone
ColorsBlue and white[2]
   
Fight songFight On, State
MascotNittany Lion
NCAA Tournament appearances
2017, 2018, 2023
ACHA Tournament championships
1984, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
ACHA Tournament appearances
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Conference Tournament championships
ACHA:
1979, 1980, 1989, 1993, 1994, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

NCAA Division I - Big Ten:
2017
Conference regular season championships
ACHA:
1977, 1978, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2008, 2009, 2010

NCAA Division I - Big Ten:
2020

History

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Penn State ice hockey was inaugurated in 1938, aside from two games in 1909–10. Penn State fielded a varsity hockey team for five seasons in the 1940s (1940–44, 1946–47) before the sport was dropped due to limited facilities.[8][9]

ACHA years

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The current program traces its roots back to 1971 when the program was restarted at the non-NCAA level.[10] Consensus in the ice hockey community considered Penn State to play on a level comparable to NCAA Division III teams, with whom Penn State routinely scheduled games prior to the move to Division I.[11][12] The Icers also played Division I, in-state opponent Robert Morris.[13][14]

When the program was resumed in 1971, it began playing a mix of non-NCAA club teams, NAIA teams and DIII teams.[15] In the 1975–76 season Penn State became the first college ice hockey team to play in Europe.[15] The team moved to the on-campus Greenberg Ice Pavilion, now known as the Penn State Ice Pavilion, in 1980. The 1,350-seat facility was the home of PSU hockey until 2013.[15] From 1971 to 2012, Penn State teams won 7 ACHA National Championships, were runners-up 9 times, appeared in 29 ACHA postseason tournaments (including 10 consecutive championship games), won 9 conference playoff titles and recorded 8 conference regular season championships.[15][16]

In the program's final season as a member of the ACHA, the team was led by Guy Gadowsky, who stayed on to coach as the team began play in the NCAA. Gadowsky brought a number of transfers and recruits for the NCAA DI team to prepare for a transition from club to varsity status.[17] The team finished the regular season with a record of 27–4 and received a bid to the 2012 ACHA DI National tournament as the number one seed and ranked first in the ACHA.[18] In the tournament, the Icers defeated West Virginia 4–1, followed by Oklahoma 6–3. In the semifinal round, Penn State faced Oakland (MI), who were ranked as the thirteenth seed.[17] The game was a rematch of 2007 ACHA championship when the Golden Grizzlies upset the Icers.[17] In a repeat of 2007, Oakland ended Penn State's season and era in the ACHA by a score of 5–3.[17] The Icers finished the season with an overall record of 29–5, 29–4 in ACHA competition and a 6–3 loss to NCAA Division III Neumann at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of the 2012 NHL Winter Classic events in front of a crowd of 6,800.[19]

Move to NCAA

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Over the summer of 2010 it was reported that Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Terrence Pegula, a PSU alumnus,[20] billionaire hockey fan, and possible large donor visited Minnesota's hockey facilities and the new on-campus Notre Dame Ice Arena currently under construction at Notre Dame and other Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) schools.[21] Pegula, who would eventually go on to purchase the Buffalo Sabres, donated US$88 million (later upgraded to US$102 million) to the Penn State hockey programs for the purpose of building an arena.[22] In August 2010 Tom Anastos, CCHA commissioner said the CCHA was interested in adding Penn State as a 12th member after Nebraska-Omaha left the league to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).[23] Without a women's league the women's team would not join the CCHA, speculation had the women's team joining College Hockey America (CHA), currently a 5-team league with teams in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.[24]

On September 17, 2010, after years of speculation,[21][25] it was officially announced the program would move to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level along with the PSU women's ice hockey team starting in the 2012–13 season and the program would initially compete as an independent team until the new arena was completed in 2013.[26] The university also announced the construction of a new 6,000-seat ice arena to replace the undersized and aging 1,350-seat Penn State Ice Pavilion.[21][27][28]

 
A game between Penn State and Army in 2012, Penn State's first season at the Division-I level

Following the announcement by Penn State, the Big Ten Conference announced that the conference planned to begin sponsoring men's ice hockey in the 2013–14 season combining Penn State with Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University from the CCHA as well as the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA to form the six-member Big Ten Hockey Conference.[29]

On March 26, 2015, Casey Bailey became the first Penn State player to play in the National Hockey League, debuting for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 4–1 loss to the Florida Panthers.[30]

In 2017, Penn State defeated Wisconsin to capture their first Big Ten Tournament championship. Freshman goaltender Peyton Jones earned the tournament's 2017 Most Outstanding Player Award. Four Nittany Lions made the All-Tournament Team: Jones, forward Liam Folkes, and defensemen Vince Pedrie and Erik Autio. In their first NCAA tournament game, Penn State notched 10 goals en route to a 10–3 victory. This marked the first time in team history that Penn State scored more than 8 goals in a varsity game. It also marked the most goals scored by a team in an NCAA tournament game since 1990.

Program record

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Prior to NCAA D1 status[8][31]

First year: 1909–10
Varsity seasons: 5 (1940–44, 1946–47)
Varsity record: 13–15–1
Non-varsity seasons: 45 (1909–10, 1937–40, 1971–2012)
Non-varsity record: 962–307–44–11
ACHA National Championships: 7 (1984, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
ACHA National Runners-Up: 9 (1983, 1985, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

The Roar Zone

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The Roar Zone is the official student section for Penn State Men's Ice Hockey. Founded in 2013,[32] the Roar Zone was created when Penn State Hockey became a Division I team and moved play[33] from the Greenburg Ice Pavilion to the newly built Pegula Ice Arena. The Roar Zone became an official Penn State University club in early 2015 and is frequently featured on ESPN and Big Ten Network game coverages.

The Roar Zone holds more than 1,000 students on bleachers built to be the steepest allowed by code.[34] All Penn State Hockey student season ticket holders are members of this organization.

The Roar Zone frequently works with Penn State Athletics to plan away game bus trips to watch conference and non-conference games. Notable trips include a bus trip to watch Penn State play in Madison Square Garden[35] for the first time on January 30, 2016 and Penn State win an overtime win at the Munn Ice Arena[36] on February 13, 2015.

Season-by-season results

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Source:[37]

Records vs. Big Ten teams

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As of the completion of 2021–22 season[38]

School Team Away Arena Overall record Win % Home Away Last Result
University of Michigan Wolverines Yost Ice Arena 14–22–1 .392 8–8–1 3–12–0 3-4 L
Michigan State University Spartans Munn Ice Arena 20–14–4 .579 11–4–3 9–10–1 1-2 L
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers 3M Arena at Mariucci 16–21–1 .434 9–8–1 6–13–0 2-3 L
University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Compton Family Ice Arena 7–17–3 .315 3–7–2 4–10–1 0-3 L
Ohio State University Buckeyes Value City Arena 15–21–4 .425 5–9–2 9–11–2 2-1 W
University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers Kohl Center 24–18–3 .567 14–6–1 8–10–2 7-2 W

Cumulative record against opponents

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Prior to NCAA D1 Status[8]

(1909–10, 1937–44, 1946–47, 1971–2012)

Beginning with the 2006–07 season, ties were abolished in favor of deciding overtime ties by the shootout. Overtime losses before the 2006–07 season are reported in the loss column.
In 1972, 1980, and 1983–85, Penn State won 4 and lost 1 against opponents whose identities have not been retrieved.

Coaches

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On April 25, 2011, Penn State named Guy Gadowsky as the program's first NCAA Division I men's hockey coach.[39] Gadowsky was previously the head coach of the Princeton Tigers from 2004 to 2011 and also served as head coach of the Alaska Nanooks from 1999 to 2004.[40] He replaces Scott Balboni, who coached the Icers for five seasons from 2006 to 2011 and compiled a 150–35–8 record.[41]

NCAA all-time coaching records

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As of completion of 2023–24 season[42]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1909–1910 No Coach 1 0–2–0 .000
1940–1944 Arthur Davis 4 13–10–1 .563
1946–1947 James O'Hora 1 0–3–0 .000
2012–present Guy Gadowsky 11 196–172–28 .530
Totals 3 coaches 18 Seasons 222–201–29 .523

ACHA All-time coaching records

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As of completion of 2011–12 season[15][43]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2011–2012 Guy Gadowsky 1 29–4–1 .853
2006–2011 Scott Balboni 5 150–34–9 .797
1987–2006 Joe Battista 19 499–124–26 .788
1981–1987 Jon Shellington 6 125–71–8 .632
1977–1979,1980–1981 Clayton John 3 54–16–5 .753
1979–1980 Mark Horgas 1 18–5–0 .783
1976–1977 Bob Hettema 1 14–6–1 .690
1974–1976 Morris Kurtz 2 24–6–1 .790
1973–1974 Jim Hodgson 1 8–15–1 .354
1972–1973 multiple 1 10–11–0 .476
1971–1972 Larry Hendry 1 13–6–0 .684
Totals 11 coaches 40 seasons 944–298–52 .750

Statistical leaders

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Source:[44]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Nate Sucese 2016–2020 147 61 79 140 68
David Goodwin 2013–2017 147 44 84 128 70
Alex Limoges 2017–2021 128 51 74 125 36
Chase Berger 2015–2019 154 51 67 118 34
Brandon Biro 2016–2020 138 41 75 116 49
Denis Smirnov 2016–2020 138 50 65 115 36
Andrew Sturtz 2015–2018 111 54 50 104 105
Liam Folkes 2016–2020 137 48 55 103 18
Evan Barratt 2017–2020 98 39 56 95 117
Kevin Wall 2019–2023 125 43 43 86 60

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

minimum 30 games

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Peyton Jones 2016–2020 133 7866 76 44 11 378 4 .907 2.88
Matt Skoff 2012–2016 77 4420 32 32 7 212 3 .909 2.88
Liam Soulière 2020–2024 84 4824 39 39 3 237 3 .897 2.95
Oskar Autio 2018–2022 49 2819 21 25 1 142 4 .897 3.02
Eamon McAdam 2013–2016 44 2420 18 21 2 132 1 .905 3.27

Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.

Players

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Current roster

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As of September 5, 2024.[45]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2   Carter Schade Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-03-07 Mars, Pennsylvania Lincoln Stars (USHL)
3   Casey Aman Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-01-15 Johnstown, Pennsylvania Powell River Kings (BCHL)
4   Simon Mack Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-29 Brockville, Ontario Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6   Jimmy Dowd Jr. Graduate D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2000-07-09 Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey Chicago Steel (USHL)
7   Carson Dyck Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-06-07 Lethbridge, Alberta Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
8   Alex Servagno Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-06-16 Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
9   Keaton Peters Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 2004-05-01 Sussex, Wisconsin Lincoln Stars (USHL)
10   Nick Fascia Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2005-04-28 Blackwood, New Jersey Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
11   Andrew Kuzma Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2005-01-29 New York, New York Madison Capitols (USHL)
12   Ben Schoen Senior F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 2002-05-18 Maumee, Ohio Tri-City Storm (USHL)
13   Danny Dzhaniyev Senior F 5' 5" (1.65 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 2002-09-15 Brooklyn, New York Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
14   Matt DiMarsico Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2004-01-07 Wexford, Pennsylvania Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
15   Charlie Cerrato Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2005-03-10 Fallston, Maryland Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
16   Dylan Lugris Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-06-23 Buffalo, New York New Jersey Hitmen (NCDC)
17   Nicholas DeGraves Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2003-05-19 Edmonton, Alberta Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
18   Aiden Fink Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2004-11-24 Calgary, Alberta Brooks Bandits (AJHL) NSH, 218th overall 2023
19   Dane Dowiak Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-03-27 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Tri-City Storm (USHL)
20   J. J. Wiebusch Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2004-02-20 River Falls, Wisconsin Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
21   Braedon Ford Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 2004-01-19 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
22   Jason Gallucci Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2004-04-22 Robbinsville, New Jersey Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
23   Tyler Paquette Graduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2001-03-18 Collegeville, Pennsylvania Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
24   Jarod Crespo Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-04-30 Seven Lakes, North Carolina Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
27   Cade Christenson Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 2004-11-02 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
29   Reese Laubach Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-11-20 San Jose, California Omaha Lancers (USHL) SJS, 217th overall 2022
30   John Seifarth Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Avonworth High School (USHS–PA)
33   Noah Grannan Junior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2002-04-27 Germantown, Wisconsin Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
35   Arsenii Sergeev Junior G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-12-16 Yaroslavl, Russia Connecticut (HEA) CGY, 205th overall 2021

Awards and honors

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NCAA

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Individual awards

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All-Americans

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AHCA Second Team All-Americans

Big Ten

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Individual awards

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All-Conference Teams

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First Team All-Big Ten

Second Team All-Big Ten

Big Ten All-Rookie Team

Nittany Lions in the NHL

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As of June 1, 2024

Player Position Team(s) Years Games Stanley Cups
Casey Bailey Right Wing TOR, OTT 2014–2017 13 0
Brandon Biro Left Wing BUF 2021–Present 6 0
Brett Murray Left Wing BUF 2020–Present 23 0

[46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2015–16 Penn State Men's Hockey Yearbook". GoPSUSports.com. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Design Essentials". Brand.PSU.edu. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Penn State to Add Men's and Women's Varsity Ice Hockey". Penn State University. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "(M1) Penn State University Records". ACHA. 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "State College man to coach in ECHL". Centre Daily Times. July 19, 2010. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  6. ^ "Welcome to the official site of Penn State Team Sports". Penn State University. 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  7. ^ "Welcome to the Official Site of the Penn State Ice Pavilion". Penn State University. 2006–2007. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Rossi, Kyle. "M Results/Season, 1909 –". Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  9. ^ "Penn State Icers: History and Facts". Penn State University. Archived from the original on March 25, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  10. ^ "Penn State Graduates To NCAA Division I". ACHA. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  11. ^ "Salem State 2, Penn State 1". U.S. College Hockey Online. December 27, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Penn State 8, Salve Regina 0". U.S. College Hockey Online. December 28, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "Penn State 3, Robert Morris 2". U.S. College Hockey Online. October 8, 2005. Retrieved November 15, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "Penn State 6, Robert Morris 0". U.S. College Hockey Online. October 8, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Icers Records by Season". Penn State University. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  16. ^ "Nittany Lion Club Taps Ice Hockey Coach Joe Battista as Executive Director". Penn State University. March 27, 2006. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c d Pickel, Greg (March 6, 2012). "Penn State Hockey: Icers Upset in ACHA Semifinals, Ending Era at Club Level". State College News. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  18. ^ "2011–2012 ACHA Men's Division 1 Ranking #9". ACHA. February 15, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  19. ^ "Neumann 6, Penn State 3". U.S. College Hockey Online. January 4, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  20. ^ Hradek, E.J. (September 17, 2010). "Penn State hockey moves to D-I". ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  21. ^ a b c Giger, Cory (August 6, 2010). "Penn State 'close' to adding arena, Division I hockey". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  22. ^ "Golisano's Goodbye & Pegula's Prospects". WBEN. February 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  23. ^ Gholston, Sandy (August 10, 2010). "Anastos to the Detroit News: Penn State 'very attractive' to the CCHA". Mlive.com. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  24. ^ Wodon, Adam (September 13, 2010). "Penn State Ready to Play". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  25. ^ Starman, Dave (September 13, 2010). "Which Way Will Dominos Fall After Penn State's Introduction?". U.S. College Hockey Online. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  26. ^ "Pegulas Commit Historic Gift To PenI State For New Arena And Hockey Program". Penn State University. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  27. ^ Ciskie, Bruce (September 13, 2010). "Penn State Reportedly Set to Add Hockey". FanHouse. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  28. ^ Wodon, Adam (September 16, 2010). "Penn State Announcement Expected Friday". College Hockey News. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  29. ^ "Big Ten confirms plan to sponsor hockey starting in 2013–14 season". USCHO. March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  30. ^ Woody, Doyle (March 26, 2010). "The dream is real: Casey Bailey made his NHL debut". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  31. ^ Rossi, Kyle (28 August 2012). "The Whitewashing of PSU's Club History". Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  32. ^ @tommyolczyk (6 September 2013). "View from atop the #RoarZone..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ @TYTBlog (13 October 2012). "Photo from where I'm sitting. That's..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "The Roar Zone: An Opponent's Nightmare – Onward State". 31 October 2014.
  35. ^ "Michigan rallies past Penn State hockey at Madison Square Garden".
  36. ^ "FINAL: MSU hockey falls again in nail-biting fashion to Penn State, 4-2". The State News.
  37. ^ "Penn State 2018-19 Men's ice hockey Yearbook". Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  38. ^ "Penn State 2022-23 Men's ice hockey Media Guide". Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  39. ^ "Penn State names Gadowsky its first varsity men's coach". U.S. College Hockey Online. April 24, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  40. ^ "Penn State Hires Guy Gadowsky as Head Coach". Inside College Hockey. April 24, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  41. ^ "Penn State University's Scott Balboni Hits Milestone With Win #100". ACHA. November 12, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  42. ^ "Penn State 2018-19 Men's ice hockey Yearbook". Penn State University. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  43. ^ "Icers 2011–12 Schedule/Results". Archived from the original on 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  44. ^ "Ohio State Men's Hockey Team Guide 2018-19" (PDF). Ohio State Buckeyes. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  45. ^ "2024–25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  46. ^ "Alumni report for Pennsylvania State U". Hockey DB. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
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