A Foundation for the Future: Freshmen Finding Their StrideA Foundation for the Future: Freshmen Finding Their Stride
Mark Selders

A Foundation for the Future: Freshmen Finding Their Stride

Written By: Ava Brown, Student Writer

With one final series remaining before Penn State pauses competition until January, the identity of the Nittany Lions is already taking form. The freshman class has been a major part of building it.

From early season statement wins, including ranked road sweeps at Arizona State and Ohio State, to battles with the top two teams in the Big Ten in Michigan and Michigan State, first-year players have contributed at every level of the lineup. Their impact has surfaced across the ice, whether through scoring, steady play on the back end, or the composure in net that has helped shape the team's identity.

For forward Gavin McKenna, the adjustment has been about pace and confidence.

“I think I’m starting to learn the game as the season goes on,” McKenna said. “In past years I’ve had slow starts, and once I start to figure it out, that’s when I start to heat up. I think this year is no different… I’m starting to get a feel for it and find out how to make plays and get comfortable with my linemates.”

Physical growth has helped him adapt to the college level.

“I wanted to build my frame a bit more,” he said. “I think it’s been working.”

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While McKenna has made his mark on the scoresheet, freshman goaltender Josh Fleming has made his presence felt with steadiness in net and a calm approach to pressure.

“I think naturally I’m just more calm of a person. It is kind of my identity to play calm, try to calm down the team and earn my team’s trust,” Fleming said. “I’ve learned it every game here, getting used to college. I think I’ve settled in now.”

Fleming said veterans encourage younger voices to step in when needed.

“We have our leadership group, but they also open the floor and let us voice what we think,” he said. “We have a good dynamic with our team where anyone can talk and say their opinion, and everyone will take it serious.”

Freshman forward Shea Van Olm has brought a different edge, leaning into a hard-nosed role.

“My whole life I’ve been more of a grittier guy,” Van Olm said. “It was a lot different at the start of the year… faster games, new levels, being in school again. It was a culture shock. But recently I’ve found my footing and I’m getting more comfortable.”

He said the physical intensity of Big Ten back-to-backs has been a challenge.

“The first game is feeling out, and the second game is always like a bloodbath,” Van Olm said. “I’m not used to that at all.”

On the blue line, freshman defenseman Nolan Collins has earned trust through steady minutes and adaptability.

“I feel like I've settled in, and I strive in the Big Ten games where they're fast paced and physical,” Collins said. “It has been good for my confidence to play a good amount of minutes.”

Rotating defensive partners has helped him adjust quickly.

“We have such a competitive, deep core. Anybody I go out with, it is pretty easy to settle in,” he said. “Everybody on our D-core is good, so it does not really matter who you play with. You have a good partner.”

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Freshman forward Luke Misa highlighted the mental side of the transition and what it takes to stay poised through momentum swings.

“I feel like being positive definitely helps,” Misa said. “There are a lot of ups and downs during the season. Dealing with that as a group can help us a lot more.”

Junior captain Dane Dowiak said the foundation beneath those contributions comes from a culture of accountability and unity.

“No matter if we are down in a game or up in a game, we always have each other’s backs,” Dowiak said. “No guy is above the team. That has led us to success so far this year.”

Head coach Guy Gadowsky said the team’s progress this semester has come from players taking responsibility for how they compete and hold each other to a standard, rather than relying on coaches to set the tone.

“That has to be the standard every game,” Gadowsky said. “You cannot take it for granted and assume it will show up. You have to prove it every game, every period, every shift.”

That accountability, he said, is most effective when it comes from within the locker room. It is also a key part of integrating younger players into the culture.

“You have to figure out how to transfer ownership of the standard to the team,” Gadowsky said. “No team has great success without figuring that out.”

For Penn State, that responsibility is not only falling on veterans like Dowiak. The freshmen have played meaningful roles and have already shown they can contribute to both performance and culture, not just depth on the ice. Their growth in the opening months of the season has helped define who Penn State is now and who the Nittany Lions can become after the break.

The future still matters. But right now, the freshmen are shaping the present.