UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's ice hockey team closed out its 12th season as a varsity program last month and earlier this week announced its 2023-24 season awards.
The Nittany Lions concluded their season with a final record of 15-18-3, bidding themselves an early conclusion in the first round of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament where they fell in two games to the University of Minnesota on the road.
In total five team voted awards were distributed including the seventh annual Team Culture Award as well as Team MVP, Top Defenseman, Freshman of the Year, and the Players' Player. The team also recognized its leading scorer, top student-athlete and the Iron Lion award, which praises the top performer in the weight room.
Freshman phenom Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alberta) cemented his presence for the Nittany Lions early on in his rookie campaign, becoming the driving force behind the offense's success. The Calgary, Alberta native led the team in goals (15), total points (34) and power-play goals (8), and finished second in total assists (19). These numbers secured his position as the team's leading scorer, just the third time in program history the Nittany Lions been led on offense by a freshman.
With this outstanding run in his rookie campaign, Fink also earned himself the title of team MVP and the Freshman of the Year. Fink set the single-season powerplay goals mark with eight, his 34 total points place him third-all time in points scored by a freshman, and his fifteen goals were the fifth-most scored by a freshman.
Fink was one of two unanimous selections to be named a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team, was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and a Hobey Baker Award Nominee.
Another new addition to Hockey Valley this year, graduate transfer Jacques Bouquot (South Windsor, Conn.), became a prominent leader for the young and hungry Nittany Lions. Joining Penn State for his final year of eligibility, Bouquot's veteran presence and leadership prevailed on the ice where he battled with Fink to be the team's leading scorer, finishing with twelve goals and fifteen assists for 27 total points.
Bouquot's veteran presence was felt throughout the lockerroom both on and off the ice, earning him the Player's Player award. This award honors someone who best exemplifies work ethic and commitment to Penn State hockey on ice objectives.
Senior Christian Berger (St. Louis, Mo.) was the leading storyline prefacing the season when he was selected to serve as team captain for the 2023-24 Penn State hockey team. Following in his older brother Chase's footsteps, the St. Louis, Missouri native became the second person in his immediate family to don the 'C' in the Blue and White.
Praised throughout the season for his character, work ethic and passion for the program, Berger was consistently referenced to be the embodiment of what it means to be a Penn Stater, something that led the conversation around naming him captain.
With the passion and commitment Berger has exemplified throughout his career as a Nittany Lion that earned him the title of team captain, Berger also earned the Team Culture Award for the 2023-24 season. This award is granted to the student-athlete that best influences a positive culture of quality and values off the ice.
Proving his dedication and determination to Penn State, Berger has thrived both on the ice and in the classroom. Between being a 4.0 student and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Berger earned the Top Scholar Athlete Award for the third consecutive season.
When asked what went into the decision, one of the key components in the discussion was his constant desire to not only improve himself, but motivate everyone surrounding him to get better each day. Exuding this perseverance both on and off the ice, head coach Guy Gadowsky specifically noted his dedication within the weight room throughout the season.
With no surprise, Berger also earned the Iron Lion Award this season. The Iron Lion Award is granted to the strongest pound-for-pound athlete on the team, someone who possesses a strong work ethic while being consistent in doing the little things right on a daily basis.
Despite adversity faced and injuries battled, Berger finished with two goals and four assists on the year, tallying nine goals and 33 assists across his four-year career as a Nittany Lion. Berger sits fourth all-time in career blocked shots (188), ninth all-time in total goals by a defenseman with nine, and 10th in total points and assists with 42 and 33, respectively.
Junior Simon Mack (Brockville, Ontario) received praise throughout the season for his smooth skating, quick zone exits and gritty demeanor on the ice, earning himself Top Defenseman accolades. Mack had a career-year with four goals and 12 assists for 16 points, while blocking 42 shots.
2023-24 Penn State Team Awards
Team MVP: Aiden Fink
Top Defenseman: Simon Mack
Freshman of the Year: Aiden Fink
Players' Player: Jacques Bouquot
Culture Award: Christian Berger
Top Scorer: Aiden Fink
Top Student-Athlete: Christian Berger
Iron Lion: Christian Berger
