March 3, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" With his innate ability to move the puck and make quick transitions down the ice, freshman defenseman Kevin Kerr's creativity has become a signature of Penn State's defensive game this season.
Sitting at a plus-9 with two goals and 11 assists so far this season, Kerr's numbers reflect a skater that knows how to read plays and pass a puck. His ability to drop the puck into the offensive zone for a waiting teammate has made Kerr effective not only defensively, but offensively as well.
"I'm someone that prides myself not only on numbers, like points and plus-minus," said Kerr. "But just the little things in a game like breaking the puck out well and regrouping well, making smart plays in all three zones, the neutral zone, offensive zone, and defensive zone."
Being able to play transitionally is a talent behind Kerr's style of play, and makes him a versatile player on the ice.
Since the beginning of the season, Kerr noted how his role within the team hasn't necessarily changed, but his approach to games definitely has.
"I've become more confident over the past couple weeks," said Kerr. "At the beginning there's always a learning curve getting into college hockey and I've become real comfortable the last couple weeks and I think I'm playing more confidently on the ice."
Kerr also credits his confidence to his defensive partner, senior Luke Juha, playing a similar style of hockey to himself. Both puck-moving defensemen, the pair has amassed nine goals and 24 assists combined this season.
Being able to use each other on the ice and knowing how to move the puck in the defensive zone behind the net makes the pair extremely effective come game time.
For a team known for its ability to put shots on net, with an average of 42.6 shots per game, fans might not focus on the defensive end of a game as much. This is the time when defensive players, such as Kerr, who have the ability to play a very quick style of defense become key for the team.
Originally starting his hockey career as a forward, Kerr was able to learn the skills forwards need at a young age and has in turn used those skills to his advantage in the defensive zone.
"All year we've been really active," said Kerr of his fellow defensemen. "Whether it's pinching down the wall or making plays, staying wide and making plays with the puck, it's a lot more fun to play in a system like that than maybe a traditional one where you don't have too much leniency to move around."
Head coach Guy Gadowsky noted how important versatile defensemen like Kerr have become to the program and explained how Kerr's ability to adapt has helped Kerr control the puck during games and how that in turn has helped the team overall.
"I'm not so sure he knew he'd be able to do that at this level," said Gadowsky. "He went from 'knowing I can definitely play here' to 'knowing I can be a good player here' and I think that's how he's become more confident and I think that's how he likes to play."
Heading into the final four games of the regular season, the Nittany Lions are eager to gain valuable wins on the road. More than ever, defense will be an important part of the Nittany Lions game strategy and will be looked upon to make blocks, but also keep the puck moving.
With Kerr and other puck-moving defensemen at the helm, the Nittany Lions are confident that their team has the ability to make the plays needed to return to Hockey Valley victorious.
Penn State plays at Wisconsin Friday night at 8 p.m. and again Saturday at 8 p.m.