ZedLeppellin
Active member
I'm not doing stats on all the departing seniors, or getting into how each of them impacted the Penn State women's hockey program - I'll just say they've had more impact on this program than any other class to play here, and they're going to be a tough act to follow. That's the usual take on every departing senior class, I know, but this group was special.
So what is Penn State losing? Five forwards, two defenders, and a goalie. As far as I've seen, they are getting four incoming forwards (one USA U18 and one Canada U18), one defender, and a goalie (USA U18). Jeff Kampersal has talked about how the transfer portal affects things now, too, so there could still be players coming that way. Assuming nobody transfers out, next season there will be no seniors, six juniors, and seven sophomores on the roster. If there are no transfers in or out, they will have ten forwards, six defenders, and three goalies, and that looks ripe for at least a couple additional players coming from somewhere. Maddy Campbell (a sophomore next season) looks like the starting goalie, unless the incoming U18 Team USA freshman goalie, Morgan Stickney, challenges her for it, and she just might. Stickney's Wikipedia page is an interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Stickney_(ice_hockey)
From this season's freshman class, I think the standout for me was Matilde Fantin. She only got 26 games because she was away with Team Italy for so long, prepping for the Olympics, but still managed to make her presence known. She's a big forward, strong, aggressive, has a great shot, and didn't play like a freshman at all - zero intimidation about being new to NCAA D-1 hockey. On the defensive side, it has to be Danica Maynard. She is probably the most offensive defender Penn State has ever had, and she's another one who didn't play like a freshman. Half the time, I forgot she was a defender, because she's in on the play so frequently. She scored 33 points this season...that's good stuff.
Obviously, Penn State is going to feel the loss of Tessa Janecke in a big way. She was a leader, she set standards, and she worked hard at being an example to a roster heavy with underclassmen. There is a lot of returning talent, and talent coming in, but Janecke leaves a big void to fill, on the ice and off. It will be fun to see how this team redefines itself now that Janecke's time is over, but Penn State was lucky to have her.
So now it's officially the off-season? Wait...don't answer that out loud.
So what is Penn State losing? Five forwards, two defenders, and a goalie. As far as I've seen, they are getting four incoming forwards (one USA U18 and one Canada U18), one defender, and a goalie (USA U18). Jeff Kampersal has talked about how the transfer portal affects things now, too, so there could still be players coming that way. Assuming nobody transfers out, next season there will be no seniors, six juniors, and seven sophomores on the roster. If there are no transfers in or out, they will have ten forwards, six defenders, and three goalies, and that looks ripe for at least a couple additional players coming from somewhere. Maddy Campbell (a sophomore next season) looks like the starting goalie, unless the incoming U18 Team USA freshman goalie, Morgan Stickney, challenges her for it, and she just might. Stickney's Wikipedia page is an interesting read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Stickney_(ice_hockey)
From this season's freshman class, I think the standout for me was Matilde Fantin. She only got 26 games because she was away with Team Italy for so long, prepping for the Olympics, but still managed to make her presence known. She's a big forward, strong, aggressive, has a great shot, and didn't play like a freshman at all - zero intimidation about being new to NCAA D-1 hockey. On the defensive side, it has to be Danica Maynard. She is probably the most offensive defender Penn State has ever had, and she's another one who didn't play like a freshman. Half the time, I forgot she was a defender, because she's in on the play so frequently. She scored 33 points this season...that's good stuff.
Obviously, Penn State is going to feel the loss of Tessa Janecke in a big way. She was a leader, she set standards, and she worked hard at being an example to a roster heavy with underclassmen. There is a lot of returning talent, and talent coming in, but Janecke leaves a big void to fill, on the ice and off. It will be fun to see how this team redefines itself now that Janecke's time is over, but Penn State was lucky to have her.
So now it's officially the off-season? Wait...don't answer that out loud.
