UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- When the season came to an end for Penn State hockey, it took some time for Alex Limoges to accept his Nittany Lions career was over.
Limoges wasn't sure what to think when Cole Caulfield ended his season in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. His decorated career in the Blue & White had ended after an unusual season.
It was a year that saw Penn State struggle out of the gate, then catch fire, only for it to come to a halt in February due to a program-wide COVID-19 pause. But regardless of all the obstacles, Limoges knew the group he captained was capable of great things.
"We always knew what type of locker room we had and how good of a team we could be," Limoges said. "It was a matter of putting it all together."
Limoges concluded his four-year stint at Penn State with 125 points and a Big Ten regular-season championship last season. But, amidst all the challenges he's faced in his career, none stacked up to what he faced this season.
Back in the fall, Limoges didn't even know if Penn State would have a season. Even when he found out they would, the challenges still persisted. Prior to the first week of the season, the whole team hadn't even practiced together yet. It was one of the many protocols Limoges had to follow in order to play.
"All the unknowns were tough leading up to the season," Limoges said. "Are we going to have a season and what are the protocols we're going to have to go through?"
Now with his Penn State career in the rear-view mirror, Limoges has begun to reflect on his time in Hockey Valley. When his career ended, Limoges had no thoughts at the time. He was not ready for it all to come to an end as quick as it did.
But, as Limoges began to come to terms with everything, and decided he would not pursue an extra season, the Winchester, Virginia, native began to look ahead.
"Life goes on. My hockey career goes on," Limoges said. "I had to start thinking about that and make some tough decisions and have some serious conversations."
Limoges made the decision to pursue professional hockey. He inked a deal to join the San Diego Gulls, an AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. Limoges has enjoyed some early success with San Diego, scoring seven goals while adding eight assists for 15 points in his first 17 AHL contests. Five of those goals and three assists have come in his last six games and he is currently riding a three-game goal-streak.
"It's been a great experience," Limoges said. "It's a dream come true to play professional hockey. I've always wanted to be here and be in this position."
He has made a ton of strides in professional hockey and is excited to see what comes next when this season ends.
"I think there's a lot of opportunity," Limoges said. "I've been at this level for a month and have learned so much. I want to keep that going moving forward."
Back to his time at Penn State, Limoges' coaches and teammates always had nothing but great things to say about their now-former captain.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky has enjoyed watching Limoges grow as a leader over his four years at Penn State and knows those characteristics will take him far at the next level.
"When he first came in, it was really obvious the type of person he is," Gadowsky said. "He's so humble and gives you so much confidence."
Limoges always wanted to give it his all and he felt like he did that. He left it all out on the ice and will take that same work ethic to his next chapter, whether it be in San Diego or elsewhere.
Most of all, his goal was to always be the best teammate he could be, a goal Limoges felt he accomplished, symbolized by his time as captain.
"I want to be remembered as a great teammate and a great friend," Limoges said. "I wanted to be a guy guys could go to if they needed anything."
