From Club Team to Frozen Four

Penn State men’s hockey has advanced to the Frozen Four for the first time in the program’s history. On March 30, sophomore Matthew DiMarsico scored in overtime against the University of Connecticut, making the Nittany Lions reach the Frozen Four. They will face Boston University on April 10.

However, PSU men’s hockey hasn’t always looked like it does now. Many are not aware that they started out as a club team in 1971, known as the Penn State Icers.

When Hockey Was Just a Club

Hockey at Penn State began as a grassroots movement driven by student passion, duct tape and a love for the game even before the bright lights of Pegula Ice Arena and national TV broadcasts. The Icers were established in 1971 as a result of the work of former student Roy Scott. He collected more than 3,000 signatures to bring hockey back to campus. At this time, it wasn’t about scholarships or national rankings; it was about playing the game.

The NCAA and the athletic department did not officially sponsor the Icers since they were a club team. This didn’t stop them from building a strong fan base. They played at humble arenas like the Ice Pavilion, an offbeat rink located near the football stadium that could barely contain a crowd. The players paid for their own equipment, practiced late at night and often organized their own travel.

Despite the lack of official support, the Icers became a powerhouse in the ACHA, winning numerous national championships and drawing impressive crowds for a club team.

Enter Terry Pegula

Everything changed in 2010. Terry Pegula, a Penn State graduate and billionaire, entered the picture with a contribution that was a game-changer: $88 million. This was the largest private donation in university history at the time. His vision? To make Penn State hockey a nationally competitive NCAA Division I program. Pegula, who made his fortune in natural gas and also owns the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, has long envisioned bringing top-tier hockey to Happy Valley.

The Pegula Ice Arena was built thanks to the donation and opened officially in 2013. However, the impact went beyond bricks and boards. This meant scholarships, recruiting budgets, national scheduling and entry into the Big Ten. Penn State was now able to compete on an equal basis with colleges like Michigan and Wisconsin.

This wasn’t an easy start as building a Division I program from scratch meant growing pains. But with strong leadership and a rapidly growing fan base, Penn State proved it was more than ready to belong.

When Dreams Come True

Today, Penn State hockey is no longer a dream but a destination. What started as a club team powered by students has developed into a Division I competitor with its first-ever spot in the Frozen Four. It’s truly a symbol of how far the program has come.

The road to St. Louis is around the corner and is lined with the passion of everyone who helped build this program, from the original Icers to the Pegula family, to the players and fans who believed long before the banners went up. Hockey Valley isn’t just a nickname, it’s a reality. Pegula Ice Arena is one of the loudest, most electric venues in college hockey.

As the Nittany Lions chase a national title, one thing is clear: the future of Penn State hockey is as bright, and as cold, as ever.

Will you be cheering on Penn State men’s hockey in the frozen four? Let @VALLEYmag know on Instagram!