UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Head coach Guy Gadowsky and the Penn State men’s ice hockey team announced their initial captains for the 2025-26 season earlier this week. Junior forward Dane Dowiak (Pittsburgh, Pa.) will don the ‘C’ this winter with senior defenseman Jarod Crespo (Seven Lakes, N.C.) serving as an alternate.
Dowiak becomes the 12th Nittany Lion captain in program history replacing Simon Mack ’25 and is the first forward in five seasons to wear the ‘C’ following a long line of blueliners who have served as captain. The Pittsburgh native also becomes just the second junior captain in Nittany Lion hockey history joining Tommy Olczyk ’16 who led Penn State into the Division I era as a sophomore (2012-13) and junior (2013-14).
Both players are wearing letters for the first time in their careers.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named captain of this team. I’ve had the privilege of learning from so many great leaders over the years, and I’m thankful for the example they set,” commented Dowiak. “I wouldn’t be in this position without the complete support of my teammates, along with the coaches and our entire staff who present us with opportunities to succeed every day. I’m grateful for this team and I’m truly thankful for their trust in me. I’m proud to wear the Penn State sweater each day and I’m excited for the upcoming season. We Are!”
Dowiak had a career year as a sophomore last season posting season-high totals across the board with 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points finishing the year sixth on the team in goals and eighth in points. Dowiak was also a monster at the faceoff dot winning a team-best 58.8 percent of his draws while leading all forwards with 40 blocked shots, good for fifth on the team.
Crespo has been a mainstay on the blueline ever since arriving on campus three seasons ago entering 2025-26 with the most games played on the active roster with 104. The North Carolina native has seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in his career with 146 blocked shots.
Penn State made an improbable run to the 2025 Frozen Four, it’s first in program history, and finished the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 5, the highest postseason ranking all-time, after starting the year unranked. USCHO.com unveiled its 2025-26 preseason rankings on Monday afternoon and the Blue & White remain No. 5 to open the season, its highest preseason ranking all-time.
The Nittany Lions open their season on the road at Arizona State on October 3-4 with puck drop slated for 9 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET, respectively.
For more information on the 2025-26 season, visit the men's hockey ticket page at GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.