Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Add Final Piece To Puzzle In Forward Andrew Sturtz

Penn State hockey added one last bit of offense to the 2015-16 roster as the program announced that forward Andrew Sturtz will join the Nittany Lions for the upcoming season and beyond.

 “A leader both on the ice and in the community,” said head coach Guy Gadowsky. “We expect Andrew to hit the ground running when he arrives on campus. His tenacious, competitive nature combined with an ability to consistently create offense will make him a handful for opposing defensemen.”

Weighing in at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Sturtz arrives in State College after two solid years in Central Canadian Hockey League for the Carleton Place Canadians. In 2013-14, Sturtz led the CCHL in scoring (104 points), scoring 51 times and providing 53 assists during the regular season. In the playoffs, Sturtz added 10 goals and nine assists in 14 games, averaging 1.71 points per game in 72 contests.

For his efforts he was named CCHL MVP and CJHL Player of the Year.

Last season, Sturtz had another impressive performance with a 30 goal 42 assist output. In the playoffs, Sturtz scored nine times with 13 assists in 12 games (1.83 points per game).

Sturtz, who will turn 21 in September, will wear No. 16 this season.

“I chose Penn State is because of the atmosphere on the campus at all times,” Sturtz said in a release. “The day I arrived for my visit and watched a game at The Pegula Ice Arena, I knew it was the school for me. The students all seem to have a great bond and really love getting the energy going for all of their sports teams. I look forward to the four years I get to spend in the Penn State community. I also look forward to playing some games in front of the best student section in college hockey.”

Sturtz joins the already announced newcomers of Chase Berger, Kevin Kerr, Alec Marsh, Matt Mendelson, Chris Funkey, Derian Hamilton and Vince Pedrie.

The Nittany Lions enter their fourth NCAA Division I season with the Big Ten’s leading returning scorer in David Goodwin who had 15 goals and 19 assists in 2014-15. Goodwin, Sturtz and the rest of the Penn State roster will do their part to make up for now NHL forward Casey Bailey.

Penn State opens its 2015-16 campaign Oct. 4 by hosting the University of Windsor for The International Game at Pegula Ice Arena. The regular-season opens the following week, Oct. 10, at Canisius.