Penn State has a class of talent incoming, but they'll have big shoes to fill as five of the team's top six scorers have moved on.
Penn State has a class of talent incoming, but they'll have big shoes to fill as five of the team's top six scorers have moved on.
Last season, Penn State welcomed the NCAA's top rookie in Tessa Janecke, who is also a key component of USA's senior national team. The program however is facing massive losses in leading scorer Kiara Zanon via transfer to Ohio State, and grad Eleri MacKay who signed to play in Switzerland, who was the team's third leading scorer.
The bleeding didn't stop there however, as Olivia Wallin (fourth in team scoring) transferred to Minnesota-Duluth, Courtney Correia (fifth in team scoring) graduated, as did Isabel Heminger (sixth in team scoring) and co-captain Rene Gangarosa.
That said, Penn State has a strong core of youth in the program, and committed to join in the future. One of those players is transfer Alva Johnsson. The six-foot Swede is the longtime captain of Long Island University and will make an immediate impact.
Here's a look at the top players joining Penn State in 2023-2024.
Stella Retrum, F, 2005 - A Minnesota All-State star, Retrum is one of the top scorers coming out of Minnesota high school hockey this season. The Maple Grove captain scored 62 goals and 119 points over 58 games in her last two seasons of high school hockey. With the number of graduating forwards, Retrum will have a chance to contribute immediately for the Nittany Lions.
Taya MacDonald, D, 2005 - Playing alongside several members of Canada's U-18 national team with the OWHL's London Devilettes, MacDonald narrowly missed a spot on the Canadian roster herself, but is on a rapid upward trajectory and could turn out to be a steal for Penn State. The five-foot-ten blueliner totalled 30 points in 39 games last season, and will undoubtedly be a rookie to watch.
Gia Mancy, D, 2004 - A physical blueliner, Mancy joins Penn State after two seasons with the powerhouse Philadelphia Jr. Flyers. The Toledo, Ohio product spent much of her youth playing in Michigan with Little Caesars. She'll make Penn State harder to play against once she adapts to the stronger competition.
Penn State will also welcome Austrian national team member, and former U-18 captain Karolina Hengelmüller to their blueline this season.
Their 2024-2025 recruiting class is already shaping up to be a spectacular crop with Canadian U-18 national team standout Abby Stonehouse destined for the program, along with Grace Tullock and McKenna Walsh.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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