Former Penn State hockey goalie Peyton Jones attributes success to relationships made within the program

Peyton Jones ended his career with Penn State men’s ice hockey as the No. 1 all-time goaltender in program history for games started, wins, saves, assists and shutouts.

He was between the pipes when the program won its first Big Ten Championship in 2017 and its first Big Ten Conference regular season championship this past spring.

But as he looks back on his Penn State career, it’s not those accomplishments that stand out the most.

“I think the biggest thing is the relationships I made with my teammates. We had so much fun at the rink, even in the gym, on the ice during practice, in the lounge — I think that’s the stuff I’m going to miss,” Jones said.

He added: “It’s so hard looking back on four years. There’s just so many memories.”

Friendships that Jones believes will last a lifetime include his three former roommates Brandon Biro, Liam Folkes, and Nate Sucese.

“Our relationship grew a lot over four years,” Sucese said. “It wasn’t as strong in the beginning but as time went on and come senior year — he’s definitely a guy I can count on going forward in life.”

The three would frequently play pranks on each other, with Jones getting the brunt of the pranking.

“We would always gang up on Jones about pranks around the apartment,” Sucese said. “We’d put water bottles under his sheets so he’d get into bed and would lay on a bottle. He was always the kind of guy that we picked on in a fun way just because he took it so well and was so lighthearted that we knew it wouldn’t hurt any feelings.”

On and off the ice, Jones is remembered by his former teammates as being meticulous, organized, and a hard worker. It’s what they believe made him successful on the ice.

“He’s one of the better goalies that has gone through Penn State,” Folkes said. “He’s very athletic and works very hard. He’s one of the first guys on the ice and last guy off the ice. He’s very determined and motivated to be better.”

Jones attributes his success with the program to his teammates and individuals within the program.

“I think the biggest thing for me is the players I played against and my teammates,” Jones said. “They were so good, every day I was facing the best of the best in college hockey. You saw the guys who have signed … the skill level they bring in and the talent.”

Former Penn State goaltender Chris Funkey is someone who Jones relied on even after he left the program, with Funkey calling Jones before or after every game he played senior year. While with the program, the two had a handshake they would do after every victory and would warm up before road games with music.

Head coach Guy Gadowsky is someone who Jones believes played a large role in his success with the program by bringing in some of the top talent in college hockey, strength coaches and directing practices. Individuals include athletic trainer Justin Rodgers, who Jones said gave him tools he will take with him to the next level.

“He makes programs for guys,” Jones said. “Mobility programs for me, recovery programs for me so that I feel good on the ice and I can perform to the best of my ability.

“So there’s so many bits and pieces that definitely came together to put me where I am today.”

For now, Jones is taking the next few months to spend time with family and prepare for the next level in his career — playing with the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

“This offseason is so different and so weird that you kind of have to sometimes take a step back and say ‘OK, I’m not going to play a game for four months,’ “ Jones said. “I don’t want to be skating five days a week and three weeks from now I’m going to be absolutely burnt out and not want to play hockey anymore.”

Jones is working out Monday through Friday and skating three times a week. He takes the weekends off to spend with family at their beach house in Long Beach Island, making sure to prepare both his mind and body for whenever the season starts.

“I think a big thing for me now is just allowing my body to feel good. It’s a long season, it’s a grueling season — I’ve talked to a lot of people in the past couple weeks about the pro season,” Jones said. “For me it’s been about making sure my body feels right, my mind feels right and going into the season fresh.”

This story was originally published August 8, 2020 at 11:42 AM.