At Penn State, a typical freshman athlete has to transition from a high school level to Division-I intensity, and do it quickly.
But all 10 members of this season’s freshmen class have something that other athletes don’t — at least one year experience playing at the junior level.
Coach Guy Gadowsky said that junior level experience typically allows freshmen to mature in age, but also in their hockey skills.
“I think it’s a really important step in terms of the transition and success for having a good college career,” Gadowsky said.