On December 3, 2020, Penn State beat Michigan at Pegula Ice Arena, with then-freshman Chase McLane recording his first career goal and assist.
Fast forward to last weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when McLane took the ice with his fellow Nittany Lions for the first time in nine months, after suffering a significant lower-body injury back in February.
Even though Penn State suffered its second-season loss of the season, all of Hockey Valley was excited to see McLane, now a junior, back on the ice.
McLane stated that he made a splash when he entered the game, as everyone in the hockey world saw his hit on 2022 first-round draft pick Logan Cooley that shattered the glass along the near half wall at Mariucci Arena.
However, it's not just about highlight reel plays and wins that are important to McLane. He is excited to be back engrained in the Penn State hockey atmosphere.
"You go that long out of the lineup, and it's tough to feel a part of the team," McLane said. "You feel like you're an outsider a little bit, so it's good to be back in the room with the guys, that's for sure."
McLane wants to integrate himself into the winning culture like he hasn't missed any time.
However, apart from winning, he has his short-term goals in mind as he gets back into the rhythm of Big Ten hockey.
"[I'm looking to] make an impact," McLane said. "Continuing this winning we're doing, and doing the best for my teammates, to the best of my ability."
McLane made an impact when he came out to play last weekend. McLane came into the lineup a night after Penn State men's hockey became the first Division I team to beat back-to-back number-one teams in two weeks.
Being a part of this winning culture is exciting for him, and his teammates are excited to have him involved in it.
However, nobody is as excited to have another great forward added to the depth of this team as head coach Guy Gadowsky.
"He's tough," Gadowsky said. "He's very honest. He plays a very, very honest game. He brings a lot of confidence."
While he is back on the ice and familiar with the team, there are a lot of new faces in the locker room this season that he has barely shared time with on the ice.
Whether it is a veteran transfer like Ture Linden or a freshman defenseman like Dylan Gratton, many players contribute to the culture this team is building.
McLane looks at the new players, only sees positives, and also looks forward to building chemistry with them on the ice.
"All of them bring a different skill set to the team," McLane said. "That's why we went out and got these men, and it's just fun to see them come into a new environment and be able to have success. It's exciting to watch them do what they do, and I am happy to be a part of it."
McLane and Penn State will be back at Pegula Ice Arena this weekend as the Nittany Lions battle No. 17 Michigan State Friday and Saturday in Hockey Valley.
