Feb. 18, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" While the No. 15 Penn State men's hockey team (18-8-4, 8-5-1 Big Ten) will be facing off against Ohio State (8-16-2, 3-7-2 Big Ten) this weekend, across the street from Pegula Ice Arena thousands of Penn State students will be dancing on the floor and in the stands for THON.
For the Nittany Lions, THON has become more than just a four-letter word, and has provided the opportunity for the team to develop life-long friendships with their THON child, Colton Buckley.
First paired with the men's hockey team at the age of four, Buckley fits right in with the Nittany Lions. Now an 8-year-old who loves hockey and is taking skating lessons, Buckley's relationship with the hockey program has grown exponentially.
Over the years, several players have become extremely close to the Buckley's, specifically senior captain David Glen and senior alternate captain Luke Juha.
"He was going through chemotherapy when we first met him and really shy" said Juha. "Now he's eight and in remission, and just being able to see his development and to see him come out of his shell and grow up in front of us is pretty cool."
For Juha, his favorite memory of Buckley, other than his constantly upbeat personality, is all the times the pair has been able to play mini-sticks together.
While the purpose of being paired with a team or organization is so families can have a support system while their child undergoes treatments, the Nittany Lions would agree that the Buckley's have been just as big as a support system back to them.
Over the years, the Buckley's have traveled to games in Hockey Valley, making the two-hour drive from Reading to see the Lions take the ice. That mutual support system is what Glen credits to the close relationship the team has with the Buckley's.
"They come to as many games as they can," said Glen. "I know it's a little bit of a hike but they've been great, they've been so supportive and it's nice to be able to spend time with people like that, that are so courageous and to have the opportunity to give back even just a little bit is nice to have that opportunity."
Buckley has become part of the team in more ways than one. He has a locker in the locker room, right alongside the team. While Buckley's locker might be slightly smaller, it is just a mere puzzle piece representing the large impact such a young boy has had on the program.
"He's always in the back of our minds, he's become a part of our team since day one here," said Glen.
A highlight of THON weekend is the Nittany Lions' participation in THON's "Pep Rally," in which various athletic teams perform dance routines on stage in front of the several thousand students in attendance. Last year's men's hockey team performance was a hit, which included various props, the team wearing highlighter-pink and yellow tank tops, and ended with a pyramid that at the top, was Buckley. The performance won first place.
"Hopefully even just the little things we do make his day," said Glen. "If we can make his day just a little bit better, and his family's a little bit better, then we're doing our part."
With this weekend being the final home series for the regular season, emotions will be high for several reasons, THON being one of them. However, this weekend also is emotional because it will be the senior class' final showdown in Pegula Ice Arena.
Senior Day this year will honor eight Nittany Lions, the first class of Penn State hockey to have worn the Blue and White sweaters for all four years of the program's Division I history.
"I've been pretty emotional these last couple weeks," said Juha. "You try not to have that emotion affect you and try to turn it into a positive but obviously I'm really looking forward to [Senior Day] and at the same time I'm really dreading it because my time here at Penn State is ending and it's something I don't want to give up."
The senior class is looking forward to one final series at Pegula Ice Arena and the possibility of adding a couple more wins to their legacy.
"Penn State has done so much for me," said Juha. "And hopefully at the end of the day [the senior class] has made it a better place."
Penn State hosts Ohio State on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and again Saturday at 3 p.m.