Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions' key pieces this season

Penn State Hockey comes into this upcoming season after an average campaign prior, establishing 17 wins, 20 losses, and 1 overtime loss in 2021-2022.

Head coach Guy Gadowsky is entering his 11th year coaching the NCAA Division 1 program.

Meanwhile, multiple graduates went on to ink ECHL, EIHL, AHL, and NHL contracts dating back to the 2017-2018 season, leaving new core pieces to step up.

The Guy Gadowksy system is sure to stay the same, an aggressively forechecking team that puts every puck on the net. In fact, the Nittany Lions averaged 39.3 shots per game, compared to 29.6 for every opponent faced.

Here’s a look at Penn State Hockey’s key pieces for this upcoming season

Kevin Wall (Forward)

Wall has taken giant leaps since his 2019-2020 debut with Penn State Hockey.

Earning new career highs with 16 goals, and 13 assists in 38 games played last season.

Wall started firing the puck much more with 162 total shots and a .099 shooting percentage. He will be an even more significant scoring threat for the lions this upcoming season.

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Connor MacEachern (Forward)

Skating in 36 games, MacEachern was a fundamental part of a struggling power play unit last season, tying a single-season record with six power play goals.

MacEachern registered 28 points with an even split for goals and assists. Connor was also crucial in the faceoff dot, averaging a 58.9 winning percentage.

Liam Souliere (Goalie)

It was very evident at times last season that the Nittany lions missed Peyton Jones.

Souliere has been in his shadow, an upcoming junior for which everyone should be excited.

Previously playing his junior hockey career in the QCHL, CCHL, and BCHL, he managed to keep his save percentage above .917 all four seasons, setting a career-high in 2016-2017 with a .936.

Last season, Souliere played 15 games for the blue and white and put up a .915 save percentage. The hope is to see Liam fully embrace a starting role, giving Penn State stellar goaltending once again.

NEXT READ: Inside look at Penn State Hockey’s recruiting class