Penn State men’s hockey to debut roster makeover as it opens new season on the road

There are line changes in every hockey game, consistently, regularly and usually with a plan. Done well, those changes are an important part of a path to success.

As the Penn State men’s hockey team opens its season this weekend on the road at Alaska, it’s planning to debut more than just a line change. It’s pretty much a roster makeover.

Eleven players joined the team in the offseason. That means newcomers make up 40% of the roster.

For a program that preaches and values “culture” and “identity,” getting everyone on the same page might take some time.

In this case, it’s going to take some distance, too. Penn State opens its season more than 3,100 miles from home with a two-game series Saturday and Sunday at Alaska.

Coach Guy Gadowsky said returning team leaders — including captain Simon Mack and alternates Carson Dyck and Jimmy Dowd Jr. — did a good job working together during the summer to build team chemistry. He’s upbeat about what the newcomers can mean for the team, too.

“For every single one of them there’s a reason to be excited,” Gadowsky said. “You’re going to see a lot of them play, and play to our identity.”

There’s a proven group of returning contributors as well. Aiden Fink, a preseason second-team All-B1G selection, led the Nittany Lions with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) last season. He was a key part of an all-freshman line along with Matt DiMarsico and Reese Laubach that often provided an important offensive spark last season.

The captains, that now-sophomore line and players like fifth-year senior Tyle Paquette will be important.

Perhaps most important might be the player in goal, though.

Arsenii Sergeev transferred to Penn State from the University of Connecticut. He replaces Liam Souliere, who transferred to Minnesota. A former seventh-round pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Sergeev went 19-14-1 with a 2.65 goals-against average in two seasons at UConn.

Gadowsky said special teams — especially goals against and save percentage, which he considers team statistics — are an emphasis entering the season.

There will be an emphasis on “grit” and “toughness” as well. Fink gained a bit more muscle during the offseason, and while Penn State promises its typical fast-paced, offensive-minded approach, Gadowsky hopes to build a productive balance in style of play that allows the team to show more toughness — without finding more time in the penalty box.

PENN STATE (0-0) at ALASKA (1-0)

Series : 11 p.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Sunday

Audio/Radio : GoPSUsports.com , 103.1 FM

Notable : Penn State leads the all-time series, 3-1, with its only loss coming in the lone game played in Alaska (on Oct. 18, 2014). … Alaska opened its season with a 5-4 victory over Grand Canyon University on Sept. 28. … This is the first of three road games to open the season for Penn State, two in Alaska and then a single game Oct. 12 at Quinnipiac, which won the 2023 national championship, before the first home series of the season, Oct. 25-26 vs. St. Lawrence.