Penn State men's hockey has landed another Canadian Hockey League talent.
Forward Justin Larose spent the 2025-26 season in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Newfoundland Regiment. He previously played for the Victoriaville Tigres (2021-2025) and Drummondville Voltigeurs (2024-25). In 2025, he totaled 88 points on 32 goals and 56 assists over 64 contests.
It wasn't a smooth recruitment process for Larose.
He was formerly committed to Michigan, but opted to stay in the QMJHL for another season rather than make the jump to the NCAA then. Why Larose and the Wolverines departed is unknown. He was expected to still play for them as early as July 2026, according to Onward State.
Former Michigan commit Justin Larose has committed to @PennStateMHKY, he tells Onward State.
— Onward State (@OnwardState) August 15, 2026
He had 88 points in 64 regular-season games in the QMJHL last season. https://t.co/Hfixz2QPQP
Penn State hockey lands QMJHL forward Justin Larose ahead of 2026-27 season
Larose has a smaller stature at 5-foot-9, 174 pounds and went undrafted in 2024. That kind of frame isn't ideal in hockey, especially given the more physical nature the NCAA game, in particular, leans towards compared to junior leagues.
Still, though, his size was viewed as a plus side to his game, per the Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide.
"He sneaks past defenders and moves ahead of the play, dictating the next plays for his team and creating clever tic-tac-toe exchanges. And he understands how to focus defensive attention on himself to create more space for teammates," the draft guide read.
Larose knows how to use his stature to his advantage. That eliminates part of the learning curve at the college level for him and head coach Guy Gadowsky. He also isn't the only "undersized" player, so to speak, on the roster as the Nittany Lions have sophomore forward Lev Katzin (5-foot-8, 175 pounds).
Now with Gavin McKenna off to the Toronto Maple Leafs and a few other forwards departing from the program in the offseason, Gadowsky has to start reloading his forward group with playmakers. Larose can fit into that role alongside other CHL talent, such as Katzin, Luke Misa, and Shea Van Olm.
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