STATE COLLEGE, Pa – NCAA Division I hockey has been dormant in Penn State since 1946 and converted to a D-I club sport in 1971. However, the Penn State NCAA D I hockey team will emerge again in the 2012-13 hockey season as new Head Coach Guy Gadowsky was hired April 24 into Penn State’s system. “I am truly honored to join Penn State and the spirit, pride, passion, class and professionalism found within its students, staff and alumni. I am humbled by the tremendous gift by Peugula family and the commitment by Penn State. This is a very exciting time for college hockey and Penn State and our family is thrilled to be joining the Penn State Family,” said Gadowski. An $88 million dollar donation for a new arena was given to Penn State by Terrence (Buffalo Sabres owner) and Kim Pegula in September of 2010, which launched plans for an official division I hockey team. With the new stadium to be completed in 2013, they will join tough competition in the Big 10 conference. The Edmonton, Alberta Canada native has had a proven track record as head coach. He previously rejuvenated a Princeton Tiger Hockey team in 2005 that only had eight wins combined of their past two seasons. Gadowsky helped the struggling Tigers reach the NCAA championship in 2008 and 2009 season. The last time the Tigers had reached the championship was 110 years ago. He has been named league coach of the year three times since starting to coach. Gadowsky will officially take over the Division I Penn State club hockey team Monday. He told reporters at the press conference in University Park on April 25 he is “Pumped” to get started. “I don’t look at it as starting from scratch at all. We have a great tradition here. You look at the success that the club team has had, it’s been phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. I know there is a great fan base, not only student body but community members that love hockey. We are well ahead of the game, that’s for sure. In no means we are starting from scratch,” said Gadowsky. Penn State Athletic director Tim Curly is excited about the acquisition, “Pursuing success with honor, building tradition, achieving excellence. As we launch our hockey program at the Division I level, these are the on and off-ice expectations, and Guy Gadowsky has successfully accomplished these goals and more throughout his career. We welcome Guy and his family to Hockey Valley.” The goals for Gadowsky follows Penn State’s motto “Success with Honor” and academics will be a huge part of Gadowsky coaching. “ Academics is obviously a huge goal of what we do. There has to be Joe and I talked about this there’s going to be a 100 percent graduation rate. But as you mentioned, we’re going to have success. We’re going to bring in some great athletes. And I’m sure they’re going to be asked to sign pro contracts early,” said Gadowsky. Gadowsky has developed many talented professional hockey players present now in the NHL including Mike Moore (San Jose), Darroll Powe (Philadelphia) and Kevin Westgarth (Los Angeles). Gadowsky will have a year at the club level to get his feet under him before the big transition to D I hockey in 2012. In 2013, Penn State will join the newly formed Big 10 conference where he says he will be facing “fierce” competition. Comment@prohockeynews.com
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