Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey, also known as the Penn State Icers, is a college ice hockey program that represents the Penn State University. The Nittany Lions hockey program is currently designated as a varsity club sport and competes at the ACHA Division I
level and are currently an independent ACHA DI member for the 2011-12 season before moving to the NCAA DI level. PSU was previously a member of the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League
(ESCHL). They play at the Penn State Ice Pavilion
Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania
.
.
The program traces its history to 1971. The program began playing a mix of non-NCAA club teams, NAIA teams and DIII teams. In 1975-76 season Penn State became the first college ice hockey team to play in Europe
. 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 has been the home of PSU hockey ever since.
Since 1971 the program has won 7 ACHA Nationals Championships, appeared in 28 post season tournaments, won 11 conference playoff tournaments, and recorded 7 conference regular season championships.
(NCAA) Division I level along with the PSU women's ice hockey team
with the completion of a new 6,000-seat ice arena
to replace the undersized and aging 1,350-seat Penn State Ice Pavilion
Over the summer of 2010 it was reported that Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Terrence Pegula
, a PSU alumnus, 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 CCHA schools. Pegula, who would eventually go on to purchase the Buffalo Sabres
, donated US$88,000,000 to the Penn State hockey programs for the purpose of building an arena.
In August 2010 Tom Anastos
, Central Collegiate Hockey Association (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). Without a women's league the women's team will not be joining the CCHA, speculation has the Lady Lions joining College Hockey America
(CHA), currently a 5-team league with teams in Michigan
, Pennsylvania
and New York
. On September 17, 2010 it was officially announced the men's and women's ice hockey programs will move to the NCAA Division I level for the 2012-13 season. The team will compete as independent team until the new arena is completed in 2013. The Big Ten Conference
plans to begin sponsoring men's ice hockey in the 2013-14 season combining Penn State with the University of Michigan
, Michigan State University
, and The 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.
as the program's first first varsity men’s hockey coach. Gadowsky was previously the head coach of the Princeton Tigers
from 2004-2011 and also served as head coach of the Alaska Nanooks
from 1999-2004. He replaces Scott Balboni, who coached the Icers for five seasons from 2006-2011 and compiled a 150-35-8.
record at the ACHA DI level.
American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
level and are currently an independent ACHA DI member for the 2011-12 season before moving to the NCAA DI level. PSU was previously a member of the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League
Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League
The Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League was created in 2007. The league is made up of 5 teams in the Northeast and mid atlantic region of the US. The Teams play at the ACHA Division I level.-Format:...
(ESCHL). They play at the Penn State Ice Pavilion
Penn State Ice Pavilion
The Penn State Ice Pavilion is an 1,350-seat ice arena on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. The ice arena includes an NHL regulation sized 200' x 85' ice sheet as well as a 45' x 55' studio ice sheet....
Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
.
ACHA years
Penn State ice hockey was established in 1939 and from the 1939-40 season through the 1945-46 season the team competed as a NCAA Division I team. The current program traces its roots back to 1971 when the program was restarted at the non-NCAA level. The Penn State Icers have a long tradition at the non-NCAA level. Consensus in the ice hockey community consider Penn State to play on a level comparable to NCAA Division III teams, of which Penn State routinely schedules games. The Icers have also played Division I and in-state opponent Robert MorrisRobert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey
The Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Robert Morris University. The team plays its home games at the Island Sports Center in Neville Township, Pennsylvania. The Colonials are a member of...
.
The program traces its history to 1971. The program began playing a mix of non-NCAA club teams, NAIA teams and DIII teams. In 1975-76 season Penn State became the first college ice hockey team to play in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The team moved to the on-campus Greenberg Ice Pavilion
Penn State Ice Pavilion
The Penn State Ice Pavilion is an 1,350-seat ice arena on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. The ice arena includes an NHL regulation sized 200' x 85' ice sheet as well as a 45' x 55' studio ice sheet....
now known as the Penn State Ice Pavilion in 1980. The 1,350-seat facility has been the home of PSU hockey ever since.
Since 1971 the program has won 7 ACHA Nationals Championships, appeared in 28 post season tournaments, won 11 conference playoff tournaments, and recorded 7 conference regular season championships.
Move to NCAA
After years of speculation the program will move to the National Collegiate Athletic AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I level along with the PSU women's ice hockey team
Penn State Nittany Lions women's ice hockey
The Penn State Nittany Lions women's ice hockey or Penn State Lady Icers is a college ice hockey program that represents the Penn State University. The Nittany Lions hockey program is currently designated as a varsity club sport and competes at the ACHA Division I level and are currently a member...
with the completion of a new 6,000-seat ice arena
Penn State Ice Arena
The Pegula Ice Arena is a planned 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania on the campus of Penn State University. The planned arena is currently in the preliminary stage with hopes to begin construction in 2011. The ice arena is planned to open in 2013 to replace the...
to replace the undersized and aging 1,350-seat Penn State Ice Pavilion
Penn State Ice Pavilion
The Penn State Ice Pavilion is an 1,350-seat ice arena on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. The ice arena includes an NHL regulation sized 200' x 85' ice sheet as well as a 45' x 55' studio ice sheet....
Over the summer of 2010 it was reported that Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Terrence Pegula
Terrence Pegula
Terrence M. "Terry" Pegula is an American businessman. Pegula founded East Resources, a natural gas drilling company, before selling the company to Royal Dutch Shell for approximately $4.7 billion....
, a PSU alumnus, billionaire hockey fan, and possible large donor visited Minnesota’s
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
hockey facilities
Mariucci Arena
Mariucci Arena is the home arena for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team of the University of Minnesota. The arena is located on the Minneapolis campus and seats approximately 10,000 fans...
and the new on-campus Notre Dame Ice Arena
Notre Dame Ice Arena
The Compton Family Ice Arena is a 5,022-seat, two-rink ice facility in Notre Dame, Indiana on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The arena saw its first game on October 21, 2011. The ice arena replaced the 2,857-seat rink in the north dome of the Edmund P...
currently under construction at Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and other CCHA schools. Pegula, who would eventually go on to purchase the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
, donated US$88,000,000 to the Penn State hockey programs for the purpose of building an arena.
In August 2010 Tom Anastos
Tom Anastos
Tom Anastos is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team. He was appointed to the post on March 23, 2011, succeeding coach Rick Comley who had announced his resignation earlier that year. Anastos is the 6th head coach in the history of Michigan State's ...
, Central Collegiate Hockey Association (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). Without a women's league the women's team will not be joining the CCHA, speculation has the Lady Lions joining College Hockey America
College Hockey America
College Hockey America is a women's college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference is currently made up of four women's teams in New York and Pennsylvania....
(CHA), currently a 5-team league with teams in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. On September 17, 2010 it was officially announced the men's and women's ice hockey programs will move to the NCAA Division I level for the 2012-13 season. The team will compete as independent team until the new arena is completed in 2013. The Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
plans to begin sponsoring men's ice hockey in the 2013-14 season combining Penn State with the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, and The Ohio State University from the CCHA as well as the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA
WCHA
WCHA is an AM radio station broadcasting at 800kHz. Owned by Main Line Broadcasting, it is licensed to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, serving the Hagerstown-Chambersburg area. WCHA is an Oldies and Classic Hits formatted broadcast radio station. WCHA simulcasts on sister AM station WHAG and on...
to form the six-member Big Ten Hockey Conference.
Coaches
On April 25, 2011 Penn State named Guy GadowskyGuy Gadowsky
Guy Gadowsky is an Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Gadowsky is currently the head coach of the Penn State University men's ice hockey team. Gadowsky played collegiate hockey at Colorado College and played professional hockey for the San Diego Gulls, Richmond...
as the program's first first varsity men’s hockey coach. Gadowsky was previously the head coach of the Princeton Tigers
Princeton Tigers men's ice hockey
The Princeton Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Princeton University. The Tigers are a member of ECAC Hockey. They play at the Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton, New Jersey.-External links:*...
from 2004-2011 and also served as head coach of the Alaska Nanooks
Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey
The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . They play at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks,...
from 1999-2004. He replaces Scott Balboni, who coached the Icers for five seasons from 2006-2011 and compiled a 150-35-8.
record at the ACHA DI level.
NCAA All-time coaching records
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012– | Guy Gadowsky Guy Gadowsky Guy Gadowsky is an Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Gadowsky is currently the head coach of the Penn State University men's ice hockey team. Gadowsky played collegiate hockey at Colorado College and played professional hockey for the San Diego Gulls, Richmond... |
1 | 0–0–0 | .000 |
| Totals | 1 coaches | 0 seasons | 0–0–0 | .000 |
ACHA All-time coaching records
As of completion of 2010–11 season| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Guy Gadowsky Guy Gadowsky Guy Gadowsky is an Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Gadowsky is currently the head coach of the Penn State University men's ice hockey team. Gadowsky played collegiate hockey at Colorado College and played professional hockey for the San Diego Gulls, Richmond... |
1 | 0–0–0 | .000 |
| 2006–2011 | Scott Balboni | 5 | 150–35–8 | .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 | 915–295–50 | .746 |