Penn State men's hockey didn't finish the 2025-26 season on the same level as it left the 2024-25 season, but that doesn't mean individual Nittany Lions didn't stand out enough to draw NHL and AHL attention.
What's next for Penn State hockey following NCAA Tournament loss
Throughout Monday and Tuesday, four Penn Staters either signed entry-level contracts with their NHL teams that have rights to them or are slated to have tryouts with AHL squads.
On March 30, goaltender Kevin Reidler was the first to sign of the bunch. He signed a two-year, entry-level contract (ELC) with the Ottawa Senators. Before his contract begins in the 2026-27 season, he is set to report to the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators on an Amateur Tryout Agreements (ATO). Reidler was a fifth-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, going 151st overall to Ottawa.
“Kev is a great goalie, great teammate, and a great person. Everyone loved having him in our program and we are all very happy and excited for him to sign with Ottawa,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said, according to Penn State Athletics' press release. “We wish him the very best and look forward to seeing his success.”
The sophomore goaltender wasn't at Penn State for long. He spent his first collegiate season with Nebraska-Omaha and posted a .920 save percentage over five games, holding a 4-1-0 record as a freshman.
Once transferring to the Nittany Lions, Reidler and goaltender Josh Fleming shared game time and ultimately got beat out by the freshman for the starting role come playoffs.
“This year at Penn State has meant the world to me, not only as a hockey player, but as a person. My time as a Nittany Lion has prepared me in the best possible way to take this next step in my career, and for that, I will be forever grateful," Reidler said, per the PSU press release. "Penn State has the best fans in all of college hockey, and it has been an honor to play in front of you this year. You are what makes this place so special. Penn State will always hold a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t be prouder to call myself a Penn Stater for life.”
Following Reidler's announcement, the Nittany Lions had another sign an ELC. Forward Matt DiMarsico signed his two-year, ELC with the Colorado Avalanche. He will report to the Colorado Eagles for the rest of the 2025-26 season. DiMarsico was an undrafted free agent prior.
“Personally, I love Matt’s story; he was not given anything other than an opportunity and started at the very bottom. He worked extremely hard on his individual game and paid close attention to team play and the result was great improvement year-after-year,” Gadowsky said.
DiMarsico was a 2026 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was the 10th Penn Stater to reach 100 career points in program history. He led the team in points in 2025-26 as well with 42. This was also good for sixth-most in one season in Nittany Lion history.
In the 2025 Allentown Regional, DiMarsico's overtime goal clinched Penn State's spot in the Frozen Four, which was the team's first appearance ever.
“My time as a Nittany Lion was more than I could have ever hoped for. The friends and experiences that Penn State has given me will last a lifetime,” DiMarsico said, per PSU's press release.
Right winger Aiden Fink signed an ATO with the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday. They are the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, who drafted Fink 218th overall in the seventh-round of the 2023 NHL Draft. The junior did not sign an ELC with Nashville.
Fink was an immediate impact player for the Nittany Lions since his freshman season. In years one and two, he led the team in scoring. Specifically as a sophomore, he set a school record of 53 points and became the first Penn Staters to finish top 10 in Hobey Baker Award voting.
He leads the program all-time in average points per game with 1.19 and power-play goals with 18.
Sophomore forward Charlie Cerrato signed a Professional Tryout Contract with the Chicago Wolves, who are the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina drafted Cerrato in the second-round of the 2025 NHL Draft, going 49th overall. He can still sign a contract with the Canes, beginning either in 2025-26 or 2026-27.
Cerrato's 2025-26 season was cut short due to injury. He missed a majority of the second half of the season and came back just in time for the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Hockey Tournament.
The forward rightfully earned his spot as a high draft pick following his freshman campaign in Hockey Valley. He led Big Ten rookies in goals, assists, and points, helping Penn State reach its first Frozen Four appearance in history.