Following an unexpected run to the Frozen Four last season, Penn State men’s hockey is kicking off the year with some preseason recognition.
The Big Ten Conference on Thursday announced the results of the preseason coaches poll, which pegged the Nittany Lions as the No. 2 team in the conference behind Michigan State. That result aligns with the initial USCHO top 20 poll, which placed Penn State at No. 5 in the nation while the Spartans, the defending conference champions, claimed the No. 3 spot.
Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Notre Dame round out the rest of the Big Ten rankings, in that order.
Additionally, a trio of players were named to the preseason all-conference teams. Star forward Aiden Fink and defenseman Mac Gadowsky, an Army transfer and son of head coach Guy Gadowsky, were given first-team nods. Both were named top-10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award last season, an honor presented to the top college hockey player nationally.
Fink, who was named a second-team All-American, broke single-season program records with 23 goals, 30 assists and 53 points last season. He finished with the fourth most points nationally and most in the Big Ten.
Gadowsky, now a junior, led all defenseman in points last season with the Golden Knights. His efforts earned him first-team All-American status.
Freshman forward Gavin McKenna, the consensus top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, was named to the preseason second team despite not playing a single game yet at the college level. The left-winger was the only freshman in the conference selected to either team and just the third freshman since 2019.
The Nittany Lions will begin their season with a road trip to Arizona State on Oct. 3 and 4.
