Dec. 21, 2015
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Freshman forward Matt Mendelson, along with the rest of the Penn State men's ice hockey team, is prepared to head to Pittsburgh next week for the Three Rivers Classic. A Pittsburgh native, Mendelson is excited to be back in his hometown playing on one of the biggest stages in hockey, the CONSOL Energy Center.
Mendelson grew up in the City of Bridges and enrolled at Penn State as a fourth-generation Nittany Lion. Mendelson's great-grandfather, grandfather and mom all graduated from the University. Cara, Mendelson's sister, was a 2015 graduate of Penn State, as well as a member of the women's ice hockey team.
"[Cara] told me that she had the time of her life playing here," said Mendelson. "She loved being a student-athlete here and couldn't say enough good things about it. She's a big reason why I ended up here."
Another significant influence for Mendelson when deciding on where to play college hockey was proximity to his home and family.
"It's been really good being close to home," said Mendelson. "I get a lot of support from people from Pittsburgh, from family, from friends and it's obviously easy for them to get up to State College to see me play which is really nice."
Prior to coming to Penn State, Mendelson spent two years in the USHL playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Lumberjacks alumni include former Penn State men's ice hockey captain, and current Indy Fuel (ECHL) defenseman, Patrick Koudys.
Mendelson credits his time in the USHL as helping him develop as a player and allowing for an effective transition into college hockey.
"I like to think of myself as a fast playmaker," said Mendelson. "I try to be responsible at both ends of the ice. A guy I really look up to is Brendan Gallagher, of the Montreal Canadiens. He's kind of a smaller, scrappy player."
The 20-year-old has played in ten games for the Nittany Lions this season and has recorded one assist. Mendelson is looking forward to the Three Rivers Classic as a potential momentum builder for the Nittany Lions, who look to add to their unbeaten streak. Penn State is 7-0-2 in its last nine games.
Mendelson is also excited to be playing in front of a hometown crowd.
"It's really cool," Mendelson said of the opportunity to play in the Three Rivers Classic. "I actually practiced there all the time when I played U-18 for the Penguins Junior team. I never actually got to play a game there so it'll be pretty cool, especially in front of family and friends."
Penn State hockey also has another Pittsburgh native on the roster. Senior goaltender Matt Skoff hails from just outside the city limits in McKees Rocks.
Mendelson joked there is friendly competition between himself and Skoff in regards to having the biggest contingent of hometown fans in attendance during the tournament.
"Skoff and I are definitely going to have to battle for tickets," Mendelson said.
Penn State will face Robert Morris in the first round of the Three Rivers Classic in Pittsburgh on Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m.