Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Add Top CCHL Goalie To Recruiting Class

The future of Penn State hockey’s goalie situation continues to become clearer this week as netminder Liam Souliere verbally committed on Wednesday morning.

Souliere currently plays for the Brockville Braves in the Central Canada Hockey League. He is on track to join the Nittany Lions next season for the 2019-20 campaign.

So far during the 2018 season Souliere is rated among the best goalies in the CCHL with a 1.40 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage with a perfect 12-0-0 recording between the pipes. All three are currently the best in the league, having allowed 17 goals and posting one shutout.

Unsurprisingly, the Braves currently sit at the top of the CCHL standings with an overall record of 14-1-0.

For Penn State the Nittany Lions will likely turn to Peyton Jones in net for 2019-20, although Jones has turned down multiple professional opportunities in the past. With an entire season ahead of him, it’s unknown what Jones will do this upcoming offseason.

Behind Jones senior Chris Funkey will exhaust his eligibility this season while freshman Oskar Autio, the bother of former defenseman Erik Autio, sits behind both in the rotation.

Penn State had also received a commitment from goalie Christian Sbaraglia before opting to sign with the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League earlier this month. The Nittany Lions and coach Guy Gadowsky will hope to hang on to Souliere’s services and not lose him to the wide array of options in the semi-pro and professional avenues hockey offers young prospects.