Updated Wednesday, April 1.
A quartet of Nittany Lion men’s hockey players put pen to paper this week.
Forward Matt DiMarsico and goaltender Kevin Reidler signed two-year, entry-level contracts on Monday with the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators, respectively.
DiMarsico will head to the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for the remainder of their season before his two-year window begins in the 2026-27 campaign. DiMarsico posted career bests this past season with a team-high 18 goals, 24 assists and 42 points, earning an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
“My time as a Nittany Lion was more than I could have ever hoped for,” DiMarsico said in an official release. “The friends and experiences that Penn State has given me will last a lifetime. All the support from the staff and the entire Penn State community has really helped me grow as a player and a person and be able to take this next step in my hockey journey. I will always be honored and grateful to be a part of the Penn State family. We are.”
Reidler, who split starts with netminder Josh Fleming this season, will join the Senators’ AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, for the remainder of the season before his two-year stint begins. He was drafted by the Senators in the fifth round in 2022 while playing with Nebraska-Omaha, before transferring to Penn State. Reidler appeared in 18 games in his lone season as a Nittany Lion, posting an 11-7 record with a .901 save percentage and 3.3 average goals against.
“This year at Penn State has meant the world to me, not only as a hockey player, but as a person,” Reider said in the release. “My time as a Nittany Lion has prepared me in the best possible way to take this next step in my career, and for that, I will be forever grateful. To the fans, I want to thank you all for the endless support throughout the season. Penn state has the best fans in all of college hockey, and it has been an honor to play in front of you this year. You are what makes this place so special. Penn State will always hold a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t be prouder to call myself a Penn Stater for life.”
On Tuesday, forward Aiden Fink signed an amateur tryout contract with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators. If the Predators choose to sign Fink to an entry-level contract, he would join their organziation and lose amateur status, but if they decline, he has the option to return to Penn State next season.
Through three seasons, Fink has totaled 48 goals and 77 assists, including a breakout 2024-25 campaign which contributed 23 goals and 30 assists, earning him second-team All-American honors and Hobey Baker top-10 finalist recognition.
Later in the day, forward Charlie Cerrato inked an amateur tryout contract with the Chicago Wolves, an affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Cerrato was responsible for seven goals and 20 assists this season while missing nearly two months with injury. A season ago, he had 15 goals and 27 assists before being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Cerrato was drafted by the Hurricanes with the No. 49 pick last year and could join the team if he picks up an entry-level contract after his tryout period.
