Penn State hockey ranked in preseason poll

Penn State hockey is coming off one of their best seasons in program history. The Nittany Lions finished the 2022/23 season ranked #8 in the country after an overtime loss to Michigan in the quarterfinals. This year Guy Gadowsky’s squad will look to make a return to the NCAA tournament and are receiving some national recognition. Where does Penn State rank in the preseason USCHO poll?

Nationally Ranked

The United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) has released its preseason top 20 rankings for the 2023/24 season. Penn State will enter this year ranked #16 and look to make their second consecutive and 4^th overall NCAA tournament appearance. The Nittany Lions will look to replace a bunch of key contributors from last year’s Top 10 team and will rely on a few seniors to help transition the program.

Potential Record-Breaking Year

The Nittany Lions will be led by goaltender Liam Souliere who is on track to break multiple Penn State hockey records. The senior currently sits 1^st all-time at Penn State with a 2.72 goals against average and 2nd all-time with a .908 save percentage. Souliere ranks 3^rd in all-time wins (27), games played (56), games started (55), minutes (3192:43), saves (1430), and shutouts (3). He is expected to break at least a few of those records and is thought by many as the best goalie that Penn State has had in its 11-year history.

Talented Big Ten

The Big Ten conference has been gaining strength the past few seasons in the world of college hockey and that has continued into the 2023/24 season.  A stunning 6 of the 7 members are ranked in the preseason Top 20 in the USCHO. Headlining are frozen four contenders Minnesota (3), Michigan (5), and Michigan State (9). Ohio State (13), Penn State (16), and Notre Dame (20) are all capable of making an NCAA Tournament appearance. It is clear that the transfer portal and NIL have greatly helped strengthen the conference, which is still looking for its first national championship since forming in 2013/14.

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