Penn State hockey’s David Goodwin, Dylan Richard sign pro contracts

A pair of former Penn State men’s hockey players will be continuing their careers overseas.

Forwards David Goodwin and Dylan Richard have signed pro contracts with Scandanavian teams for the 2017-18 season.

Goodwin, the team’s captain this past season and the program’s career scoring leader, has signed with Liiga-Saipa Oy of the SM-liiga — the Finnish Elite League. His team is based in Lappeenranta, Finland. Goodwin graduated with program records of 128 points, 84 assists and 147 games played.

“I am very excited to continue my hockey career in Europe playing in the SM Liiga,” Goodwin said in a statement released by Penn State. “I would like to thank the whole Penn State community, especially Coach (Guy) Gadowsky and Sandy Barbour, for making my time in Happy Valley very special. I look forward to representing this great university, in many ways, across the pond.”

Richard will be in Oslo, Norway, after signing with Manglerud Star of the Get Ligaen League. Richard netted 31 goals and added 46 assists in 121 games as a Nittany Lion.

“I am confident in saying that I would not be in this position if it wasn’t for my time at Penn State,” Richard said. “My college hockey experience over the last four years has put me in a position to succeed both on and off the ice. I look forward to the new challenges that come with this next step in my career.”

The pair helped the Nittany Lions win the Big Ten tournament title and a first-round NCAA playoff game against Union before falling to Denver in the regional finals in March.

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 6:30 PM with the headline "Penn State hockey’s David Goodwin, Dylan Richard sign pro contracts."