Penn State men’s hockey players part of history at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland
Members of the Penn State men’s hockey team have scattered for the university’s semester break, with some home for the holidays and a few others competing internationally.
The largest group of players competing over break are in the same place — Davos, Switzerland — as members of the first group of U.S. college players to compete in the 102-year-history of the Spengler Cup, an annual invitational tournament first contested in 1923.
The players are making history, and they’re part of a de facto family vacation.
Penn State has five players on the 25-man roster, thanks in part to their success and in part to the team’s coach.
Forward Aiden Fink and defenseman Mac Gadowsky automatically earned spots because they were All-Americans last season. Fink, who was injured earlier this year and has played just nine of Penn State’s 16 games this season, will make the trip and plans to return to the ice during the tournament.
Coach Guy Gadowsky wanted some familiar faces and at least a little chemistry and familiarity on the roster, though. So, as the roster rounded in early November with players representing every major hockey playing conference in the nation, three other Penn State players were added.
Four of Penn State’s top six most productive players are on the roster for the weeklong tournament. Along with Fink, that’s Charlie Cerrato, JJ Wiebusch and Matt DiMarsico.
“For me, it was important that you have some guys who have chemistry, and when the roster was being finalized three of the top scorers in the nation were JJ, Chuck and Didi, so for the sake of the team and being successful, absolutely we want them on the team, 100%,” Gadowsky said. “Plus, certain guys know each other from the past. For example, Aiden Fink and T.J. Hughes played on the same team in juniors. So, we’re going to try that, for sure, and we have different combinations in mind.”
The Gadowskys have some company and familiarity, too.
As the coach leads the star-studded team to the international competition, he’ll do so with his son on the roster (as he’s been all this season since transferring from Army to Penn State) and with the rest of the family making the trip.
“The last time we did something hockey related together was probably 10 years ago,” Mac Gadowsky said. “There was a tournament in Alberta and because my dad’s parents live there, we all went together.
“That was in the summer, so it was easier. Obviously in the wintertime, he usually has games of his own.”
The 4,000-mile trip for the team began with a stopover in Boston for a couple days of practice Sunday and Monday . The traveling party left for Switzerland Tuesday , with their first tournament game Friday against Team Canada. Members of the Gadowsky family — wife Melissa, daughter Mia and brother Magnus, who plays hockey at Amherst College — got a head start and met the team when it arrived.
Coach Gadowsky said the support staff for the Spengler Cup has made the details and logistics easy. Plus, while the coach appreciates a rare holiday season family trip, there’s no doubt his competitiveness will keep the team focused for its preparation and the games themselves.
Along with the five Penn State players, the roster includes players from three other Big Ten Conference schools, including two from Notre Dame. There are also two players each from North Dakota and UMass and three goaltenders who have backstopped 35 victories through the first half of the college season.
“I talked to a lot of coaches about going into short tournaments like this, whether it’s the Olympics or world championships, and they say you either have chemistry or you don’t. That’s what determines how far you go,” coach Gadowsky said. “We’re going against many players who’ve already played in the NHL. They’re seasoned pros, every one of them.
“We’re not under any impression that it’s going to be our execution of our system that wins games. We’re playing teams that have played together a long time. Our best chance, in my mind, is the old college spirit. Let’s just go flying, up and down the ice — probably similar to what people see in Pegula.”
Mac Gadowsky, who has never traveled overseas, is excited for the opportunity.
“We know this is going to be some really high-level hockey,” he said. “There’s a lot of excitement to compete. Plus, it’s a collection of some of the best college players and I think everyone there will want to play hard and do our best.”
After a 42-day layoff, Penn State’s season resumes at 7 p.m. Jan. 3 with a game at RIT. The teams then complete the home-and-home series Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena.
U.S. Collegiate Selects Roster
These college players are members of the first U.S. Collegiate Selects team that will compete at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, beginning Friday.
FORWARDS Owen Beckner, Colorado College Charlie Cerrato, Penn State Matt DiMarsico, Penn State Quinn Finley, Wisconsin Aiden Fink, Penn State T.J. Hughes, Michigan Cole Knuble, Notre Dame Martins Lavins, New Hampshire Joey Muldowney, UConn Jack Musa, UMass Danny Nelson, Notre Dame Zam Plante, Minnesota Duluth Jack Stockfish, Holy Cross Ryan Walsh, Cornell JJ Wiebusch, Penn State
DEFENSEMEN Vinny Borgesi, Northeastern Mac Gadowsky, Penn State Larry Keenan, UMass Jake Livanavage, North Dakota Gavin McCarthy, Boston University Eric Pohlkamp, Denver Abram Wiebe, North Dakota
GOALTENDERS Adam Gajan, Minnesota Duluth Josh Kotai, Augustana Alex Tracy, Minnesota State