Penn State has been competing in ice hockey at the NCAA Division I level for a relatively short time. The Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey program represents Pennsylvania State University. Penn State ice hockey was inaugurated in 1938, aside from two games in 1909-10. Prior to the 2012-13 season the program was designated a club sport and competed at the ACHA Division I level. When the program was resumed in 1971, it began playing a mix of non-NCAA club teams, NAIA teams and DIII teams.
Despite this, those few years have led to quite a bit of success both on and off the ice, especially when it comes to the goaltending position.
Notably, the first three players to appear in goal for Penn State during the current NCAA era have all gone on to sign professional contracts. That is three for three.
Here's a look at some of the key figures and what made them successful:
The first player to achieve this was PJ Musico, who graduated after playing for both Penn State's ACHA team and the NCAA squad for multiple seasons.
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He started the 2015-16 season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL and appeared with them in thirteen games, going 7-3-1. Later in the season he joined the Quad City Mallards and played in ten regular season games, going 6-3-1. Musico also had a brief stint in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, dressing and backing up against the Admirals.
At the conclusion of the 2015-16 Penn State season both Matt Skoff and Eamon McAdam would see action in the pro ranks.
Senior Matt Skoff finished up his last season at Penn State and shortly after signed an ATO with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. Skoffer practiced with Reading for quite a bit and would appear in two games with the Royals going 1-1-0.
Not long after Skoff signed with Reading, junior goalie Eamon McAdam announced that he would forgo his senior season and he signed a three year entry level contract with the New York Islanders.
This made Eamon the first Nittany Lion goalie to ink an NHL deal and only the second player ever behind forward Casey Bailey.
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Eamon then signed an ATO with the Islander's AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and joined them for the remainder of the season. With the Sound Tigers involved in a tight race for an AHL playoff spot his playing time was limited but he did earn a start at the end of the season becoming the first goalie in Penn State hockey history to start a game in the American Hockey League.
Mark Scally, who played for Penn State in the late 1990's on the ACHA team is the only other goalie to see AHL playing time as he entered a game during the 2000-01 season in relief for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
The Future of Penn State Goaltending
So what does the future hold for Penn State goaltenders? The future to me looks bright. Chris Funkey will return next season. Although he did not see a ton of action this season, he did make the most of the playing time he got and was very effective. He only logged seventy one minutes but during that time he only allowed two goals and had a .933 save% and a 1.69 gaa.
On top of that, Funkey has earned the praise of former team mates Eamon McAdam and Matt Skoff who both feel he is more then up to the challenge for next season.
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Besides Chris Funkey who else will be holding down the fort in Hockey Valley now that so many guys have moved on recently? For that answer look no further... but look up at Peyton Jones. The Lincoln Stars goalie who will leave the USHL for the NCCA next season stands at an impressive six feet four inches.
Jones had a stellar season in the USHL and heads into the next campaign at Penn State lacking in college experience but certainly full of ability and potential just like Funkey.
The two goalies could not be any different in size and playing style yet everything I hear and read about them is positive. Chris has a full season under his belt in Hockey Valley so he will hit the ice next season running and will be familiar with the routine and system. I think that will help him yet I think Jones has what it takes to step right in and contribute right from the start.
Again, the future looks bright in goal for Penn State.
Eamon McAdam, P.J. Musico, and Matt Skoff have all had stretches this season where they were the “hot hand” that their coaching staff had no choice but to turn to. However, judging by the first two-thirds of the season, who that will be is still up in the air.
His .913 save percentage is second on the team, but his 2.91 goals against per game is the team’s worst mark. That game was the symbolic end of his run as the “hot hand,” a title he carried since earning a win in one of the biggest upsets in Penn State hockey history, beating No. His record of 4-2-1 looks pretty good, but with the expectations a third-round NHL draft pick faces, more appearances would be ideal.
P.J. Musico, traditionally the third guy on the depth chart, has elite statistics in the smallest sample size. His .938 save percentage, 1.92 goals-against average, and 4-1-1 record look great, but history doesn’t provide much reassurance as to how long he’ll keep it up. Musico has been thrown into the fire on numerous occasions this year, and has performed nothing short of admirably.
In the first game of the Northern Michigan series, Skoff was again given the start but was chased from the net once the Wildcats took a 4-1 lead. The reins were once again given to Musico, who didn’t allow any more goals and watched his offense score four straight goals to earn the 5-4 win. Despite a sketchy history, Musico has easily been the team’s best goaltender over the past few weeks. His team plays much better in front of him than it does in front of any other candidate. If Musico keeps up his current hot streak, the senior is the easy choice to stop pucks in postseason play.
With more games played than any of his fellow netminders, Skoff’s lesser numbers are the most telling, but it also proves that his success is maintainable. He has started for 15 of the team’s 26 games and holds a 7-4-2 record. If the coaching staff wants the goalie with the most experience, they should turn to Matt Skoff.
Statistical Leaders
The Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey program in various categories, including goals, assists, points, and saves. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders.
Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Ice Hockey Roster 2025-2026
| # | Player | Pos. | Born | Birthplace | HT | WT | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Josh Fleming | G | 2004 | Montréal, QC, CAN | 188 | 78 | L |
| 30 | Chris McFayden | G | 2002 | Mars, PA, USA | 191 | 96 | L |
| 35 | Kevin Reidler | G | 2004 | Gävle, SWE | 199 | 92 | L |
| 30 | John Seifarth | G | 2003 | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 191 | 88 | L |
| 3 | Casey Aman | D | 2003 | Johnstown, PA, USA | 183 | 84 | R |
| 27 | Cade Christenson | D | 2004 | Edmonton, AB, CAN | 191 | 83 | L |
| 77 | Nolan Collins | D | 2004 | Whitby, ON, CAN | 193 | 98 | R |
| 24 | Jarod Crespo | D | 2002 | Easthampton Township, NJ, USA | 183 | 86 | R |
| 10 | Nicholas Fascia | D | 2005 | Blackwood, NJ, USA | 186 | 83 | L |
| 4 | Mac Gadowsky | D | 2002 | Fairbanks, AK, USA | 191 | 86 | L |
| 2 | Carter Schade | D | 2003 | Mars, PA, USA | 180 | 84 | L |
| 7 | Jackson Smith | D | 2007 | Calgary, AB, CAN | 193 | 93 | L |
| 15 | Charlie Cerrato | C | 2005 | Fallston, MD, USA | 183 | 88 | L |
| 71 | Nicholas Degraves | F | 2003 | Edmonton, AB, CAN | 183 | 78 | R |
| 14 | Matthew DiMarsico | F | 2004 | Wexford, PA, USA | 183 | 82 | L |
| 19 | Dane Dowiak | C/LW | 2002 | Wexford, PA, USA | 178 | 82 | L |
| 18 | Aiden Fink | RW | 2004 | Calgary, AB, CAN | 178 | 73 | R |
| 21 | Braedon Ford | F | 2004 | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 175 | 76 | L |
| 33 | Lev Katzin | C | 2007 | Thornhill, ON, CAN | 172 | 80 | L |
| 29 | Reese Laubach | C | 2003 | San Jose, CA, USA | 183 | 77 | R |
| 72 | Gavin McKenna | LW | 2007 | Whitehorse, YT, CAN | 183 | 77 | L |
| 11 | Luke Misa | C/LW | 2005 | Oakville, ON, CAN | 178 | 80 | L |
| 9 | Keaton Peters | F | 2004 | Sussex, WI, USA | 178 | 85 | R |
| 12 | Ben Schoen | C | 2002 | Toldeo, OH, USA | 173 | 75 | R |
| 8 | Alexander Servagno | F | 2002 | Gibsonia, PA, USA | 175 | 78 | L |
| 93 | Shea Van Olm | F | 2004 | Calgary, AB, CAN | 185 | 90 | L |