Dec. 17, 2015
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Freshman goaltender Chris Funkey has dedicated himself both on and off the ice to the Penn State men's hockey program and has displayed his natural ability in the crease.
The Illinois native, however, didn't start his hockey career between the pipes.
"I actually haven't always played goalie," said Funkey. "When I first started out I was a forward, then I started playing goalie in my cousin's basement. I was the youngest of us and they used to put me in the net and I just ended up falling in love with it."
Funkey's love for goaltending and the sport of hockey is clear to his teammates and coaches. Head coach Guy Gadowsky often talks about Funkey's passion for the sport and how it's great having someone with Funkey's positive attitude on the ice.
Before playing for the Nittany Lions, Funkey's previous team, the New Jersey Hitmen, won both the EJHL title in 2013-14 and USPHL Championship in 2014-15 under Funkey's leadership in net. Both memories, Funkey says, will be with him forever.
However, now playing at the collegiate level, Funkey has made new memories of his own.
"Playing in Pegula for the first time was probably my favorite memory I've ever experienced," said Funkey of what has stood out most about his time so far at Penn State.
Funkey has only played one game in net for the Nittany Lions, tallying just shy of 15 minutes between the pipes during Penn State's Oct. 16 matchup against Notre Dame. Funkey didn't allow a goal and made three saves for the Nittany Lions in the contest.
"The first time we stepped out after warm ups when we were playing Notre Dame and the Roar Zone had the big banner, that was honestly the coolest thing I've ever experienced in my life," said Funkey.
His first time playing in net for the Nittany Lions, Funkey explained, was made easier knowing he had done everything necessary to prepare both mentally and physically.
As a freshman behind two veteran goaltenders, junior Eamon McAdam and senior Matthew Skoff, Funkey has had ample opportunity to learn from the experienced duo.
"They've been tremendous, they've taught me so much about being a professional both on and off the ice," said Funkey of McAdam and Skoff. "Those guys help me out so much. They're always suggesting extra workouts after practice or getting out on the ice early."
Funkey explained that the goaltenders are all good at pushing one another to be better every day and that each of them bring their own unique playing style to the table.
Funkey noted that he likes to model his playing style after two current NHL goaltenders.
"I try to play a little bit of a mixture of Marc Andre Fleury and Jonathan Quick," said Funkey. "They're both extremely athletic goaltenders and I try to play like that. Me not being as big of a goalie, and Jonathan Quick kind of plays a little bit smaller than he really is, so I try to model my play after him."
Although he may be a smaller goalie, Funkey has big goals for himself and the team this season. On top of continuing to develop his skills in net, Funkey explained how he believes the season can develop in Penn State's favor.
"As far as the team I feel our goals and expectations are still the same," said Funkey. "I feel we have the opportunity to win the Big Ten championship and compete for a national championship, that's our goal. We don't want to set our sights lower than that."
With the hope of a Big Ten championship and competing for a national title in the future, Funkey is prepared to step in whenever needed and help put his own mark on defining Penn State hockey for years to come.