Penn State’s hockey season is still months away, but the 2015-16 roster has taken shape with the announcement of the final three freshman to join the squad.
All three players will head to Happy Valley along with four additional freshman who made their commitment official during the early signing period. How each player will impact the upcoming season is a question mark, but unlike football and basketball, the expectations of immediate impact are much higher.
And so, getting to know the incoming players is all the more important. Any one of them could be the key to the Nittany Lions’ success this year.
Chris Funkey
G // 5-10 // 175 // March 16, 1994 // Orland Park, Illinois // New Jersey Hitmen (USPHL)
Three-year starter for New Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League, leading the Hitmen to the USPHL championship, posting a 1.41 GAA and .947 in the playoffs. It’s unclear where Funkey fits into the mix with returning starters Matthew Skoff and Eamon McAdam but coach Guy Gadowsky has yet to shy away from playing the hot hand. If Funkey isn’t redshirted and gets his chance and shines, then the sky is the limit.
Gadowsky on Funkey: “Chris is a fierce competitor and an athletic goaltender. In his three years, he led the Hitmen to two league championships, posting impressive numbers along the way. While serving as a captain last year, he proved himself to be not only a great teammate, but also as the premier goaltender in the USPHL.”
Derian Hamilton
D // 6-1 // 175 // June 6, 1994 // Port McNeill, British Columbia // Comox Valley Glacier Kings (VIJHL)
Played four seasons in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League for the Nanaimo Buccaneers (2012-14), Comox Valley Glacier Kings (2013-15) and select games for the Powell River Kings (2015) in the British Columbia Hockey League. With the departure of now graduated captain and defensemen Patrick Koudys, Hamilton will be called on in some capacity to help fill that role on defense. A strong skater, he could be a key part of an active defensive unit.
Gadowsky on Hamilton: “Derian is a great skating defenseman. He is able to break pucks out on his own because of his skating ability. He is a smart player who moves the puck well and is able to create a lot of offense.”
Vince Pedrie
D // 6-0 // 185 // Jan. 17, 1994 // Rochester, Minn. // Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Played four seasons in the United States Hockey League for the Omaha Lancers (2011-13), Indiana Ice (2012-14), Bloomington Thunder (2014-15) and Tri-City Storm (2015). Totaled 203 games played with 22 goals and 45 assists. In 2011-12, saw time in 44 games at Omaha, dishing five assists. Much like Hamilton, Pedrie will bring two-way play with him to add to both sides of the ice.
Gadowsky on Pedrie: “Vince is a good skating defenseman who likes to get up in the rush and add to offense. He has a good shot from the point. He comes to Penn State with a lot of experience having playing 203 USHL games. He should be able to step in from day one help out the blueline.”
Funkey, Hamilton and Pedrie join the already announced Chase Berger (St. Louis, Mo.), Kevin Kerr (Bensalem, Pa.), Alec Marsh(Bridgewater, N.J.) and Matt Mendelson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) as the freshman class for the 2015-16 season.
In a bit of unexpected news, Denis Smirnov (Dunmore, Pa.) has deferred his freshman campaign until 2016-17 as he further develops in the United States Hockey League with the Fargo Force. Smirnov signed his National Letter of Intent in November at the same time as Berger, Kerr, Marsh and Mendelson.
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.
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