Penn State Men’s Hockey: Nittany Lions Add North Dakota Transfer

Penn State men’s hockey picked up a solid addition to its forward group earlier this week as Ashton Calder announced his intentions to transfer to Penn State from North Dakota. Calder comes to Penn State with one season of eligibility remaining.

Previously Calder had played three seasons at Lake Superior State where he served as an alternate captain during the 2020-21 campaign. While at North Dakota this past year, Calder had 11 goals and 10 assists over the course of 34 games.

His 21 points were fifth-best on North Dakota’s roster while his 80 shots on goal were tied for second-best on the team.

“Calder is an excellent pickup for Penn State,” Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald told StateCollege.com. “He should play in the top six and on the power play. He has an excellent shot. He finished second on UND in goals last season. He doesn’t look like an explosive skater, but he can beat guys. He’s a big body and will battle for pucks.”

Penn State could use all the offensive firepower it can get coming off back-to-back seasons in which the Nittany Lions struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis, although Penn State did upend Calder and North Dakota 6-4 in Nashville early last season.

In any case, coach Guy Gadowsky will happily welcome Calders’ shoot first and ask questions later mentality on the ice as Penn State looks to regain its footing as one of college hockey’s offensive powerhouses.