No. 10 Penn State Hosts University of Ottawa in International Game

When Penn State opens its season with an exhibition game against the University of Ottawa, it won’t just be the first time fans of the Nittany Lions get to see what the retooled roster can deliver, but also the first time head coach Guy Gadowsky gets to see what his new lineup can bring.

With NCAA rules limiting a coach’s involvement in practices during the offseason, Gadowsky does not yet have a firm grasp on what his line combinations will look like once the season begins.

“We have two hours a week on the ice,” he said at the team’s season-opening press conference. “I think the chemistry we had last year has been lost. I think they’re really good guys. I think they’re enjoying working together, and that’s all that we have so far.”

There will be a number of key holes to fill in the lineup. Departed are the program’s all-time leading scorer David Goodwin, top-six center Dylan Richard and top penalty killer Ricky DeRosa.

While some of those roles can be filled by returning players like Blake Gober and Matt Mendelson, the rest will be delegated to a talented group of freshmen, comprised of highly touted players such as Evan Barratt and Alex Limoges.

Captain James Robinson is confident any of the team’s six freshmen can step into their assigned role and succeed.

“The six guys we have here, although they may be a little bit younger age-wise, you wouldn’t know it,” he said.

That confidence in the rookies can help them become comfortable in their roles, which will be a necessity as the Lions face conference foe Minnesota in the second week of the regular season.

For now though, those freshman will get their first taste of college hockey against the Gee-Gees. But if Robinson’s praise is any indication, those freshmen may already be prepared to help guide the Lions back to the NCAA Tournament.