A Dream Come True: John Seifarth's Journey to B1G First StarA Dream Come True: John Seifarth's Journey to B1G First Star
Steven Walter

A Dream Come True: John Seifarth's Journey to B1G First Star

Written By: Molly White, GoPSUsports.com student writer

Seifarth_John(24-CU-SJW)_0005 copy

More than five thousand passionate fans roaring, the bright lights of the biggest stage blinding you as you approach center ice, your heartbeat rapidly makes its way up to your throat as you see your photograph on the jumbotron while your name blares simultaneously as you are announced to join your teammates as the final member of the starting lineup; this is what a lifetime of work led to for John Seifarth during his collegiate debut in Penn State’s series against Colgate. 

“It’s just crazy beyond belief. That’s the stuff that as a hockey player, your dreams are made up of,” claimed Seifarth. 

Three years ago in an adverse moment, Seifarth temporarily gave up the sport of hockey with intentions of focusing on his impending academic pursuits. One year ago, he would lug his gear across campus in below freezing winter weather to attend late night club ice hockey practices. This year, he has two NCAA Division I victories as a member of the varsity roster. 

Over the last six months of perseverance, hustle, and hard work, Seifarth achieved a lifelong dream: become a Division I hockey player. 

The Pittsburgh native began his Penn State career as a typical freshman in the fall of 2022, eager to find his place amongst an intimidatingly large student body. Knowing only of his intended field of study and passion for the sport of hockey, Seifarth endured multiple rounds of tryouts and inevitably found a new home with the Ice Lions, Penn State’s ACHA Division II club hockey team. 

Spending two years with the Ice Lions, Seifarth earned a more permanent role amongst the lineup in his second season, recording a 4-6-0 record with a .912 save percentage and 3.24 goals-against-average as a sophomore in 2023-24. Alongside his skill on the ice, Seifarth was elected onto the executive board for the 2023-24 season, where he aided in decision making and logistical planning for the team in their endeavors. 

Following his impressive efforts in his sophomore season, Seifarth found a foot in the door with former Penn State Hockey Captain Christian Berger, who became a mentor and advocate for the club team star as he began the process of walking on. Getting the opportunity to skate with the team in the spring, Berger and his teammates grew quite fond of Seifarth, encouraging him to take a chance with the Nittany Lions. 

Getting his start with the Nittany Lions, Seifarth earned a walk-on tryout following his successful sophomore season in the ACHA, eventually receiving an offer to move up to the division I team, and was granted a few days to evaluate the offer and the intensity of the commitment. 

“I didn’t even have to think twice once they asked, but I told them I’d sleep on it and let them know after a few days,” exclaimed Seifarth.  “To be honest, I didn’t sleep at all that night. I called them first thing in the morning and told them I was in, and that this is something I wanted to be a part of.”

Seifarth_John(24-CU-SJW)_0021 copy

Once the pen hit the paper, the journey was only beginning for the newfound roster member. Seifarth was praised for his extreme efforts during team workouts and practices throughout the summer months, proving his daily dedication to becoming a better player, and even more so, a better teammate. 

“Even before he had any inclination that he was going to be on the team, he innocently just loved being around guys that shared his love and adoration for the game,” emphasized Berger. “He wants to work hard and wants to get better every single day, and that’s what truly sold us on him.”

Fast forward, Seifarth made his collegiate debut in the final period against Michigan on November 23, Seifarth held strong to keep the Nittany Lions in a one-goal game with the Wolverines, while attempting to kill off a major penalty at the expense of the Blue & White.  

“I was so excited to be out there beside the guys that I had gotten so close with over the last few months, so being in the net those few minutes meant the absolute world to me. All that was going through my head was ‘try not to let these guys down’,” said Seifarth. 

Despite dropping the contest, the junior’s execution and delivery when faced with such a daunting task was highly praised amongst staff and players. 

Following his poised approach and execution in the late moments of this game, the Pittsburgh native earned himself a spot in the starting lineup for their mid-week series against Colgate. 

Seifarth_John & Celebration(24-CU-SJW)_0092 copy

As family gathered in the stands and enthusiastic Nittany Lion fans amassed the arena, the stage was set for the picturesque beginning of Seifarth’s career with the Nittany Lions.

As the record illustrates, these moments were followed by two highly competitive games against the Colgate Raiders, as Seifarth made 47-of-50 saves, tallied three scoreless periods, and went a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Cheers erupted from the stands as the final ticks fled, and authored a perfect underdog story that helped Penn State snap a six-game skid, as the Pennsylvania kid made history with his first two career wins.

“Incredible. He was incredible,” exclaimed head coach Guy Gadowsky. “It’s wonderful to see when you have guys that give so much of themselves to the team to get those accolades, and we are just thrilled for him.”

In the midst of a difficult situation in giving John Seifarth his first collegiate minutes against a Michigan powerhouse, Gadowsky proudly said that the substitution was made to give the team a ‘new spark of energy’, one that was received incredibly well amongst the lineup. The team noticeably rallied around him and worked diligently to protect him in net, and this mentality seemingly carried into the Colgate series that saw 120 uninterrupted minutes of Seifarth in net. 

After mustering up a 3-2 victory in the series opener, the Nittany Lions attacked the offensive zone in game two to tie the program record of goals scored in a single period, as they jumped to an early 5-1 lead after the first twenty minutes of play. Finishing out the second day of competition with a 7-1 victory and a series sweep, Seifarth was celebrated to the highest degree by his teammates. 

Upon his return to the locker room, the junior goaltender was swarmed by his zealous teammates as they poured water bottles and cheered for him in celebration of this massive career milestone. 

“Walking into the locker room after that first win, celebrating with my teammates, that’s a moment that’s going to be engraved in my mind forever. That’s the why of why you play the game, for moments like that, there’s no better feeling in the world especially when it’s all the people you love and go through these challenges together.”

After a near premature ending to his career, Seifarth realized his true passion for the game, which led him on this incredible journey, one he never would have even imagined for himself. When asked what he would say to his younger self that was on the brink of giving up the sport, he was quick to reply.

“If you’ve found something you love, do it for as long as you can. I’ve never loved anything as much as I love playing hockey, regardless of what level, so keep doing it, and do it with gratitude,” said Seifarth. “I’m living my dream, and not a lot of people get the opportunity to do this. I’ll get to look back on this for the rest of my life and say ‘those were the best years of my life.’”