Penn State men's hockey sustained a few losses due to post-season signings. Goaltender Kevin Reidler and forwards Matt DiMarsico, Aiden Fink, and Charlie Cerrato said goodbye to the Nittany Lions, taking their talents to the next level in the AHL.
Penn State hockey's Gavin McKenna gets snubbed in Hobey Baker finalists reveal
On Monday, it was reported by Mark Divver of New England Hockey Journal and NHL.com that forward J.J. Wiebusch intends on entering the Transfer Portal when it opens in one week.
Penn State's J.J. Wiebusch to enter transfer portal, per source
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) April 6, 2026
Undrafted winger put up 16-20-36 in 37 games
Penn State forward J.J. Wiebusch will enter Transfer Portal on April 13
Wiebusch just finished year two in Happy Valley.
As a sophomore, he put up 36 points on 16 goals and 20 assists over 37 games. This was an improvement from his freshman campaign, which was already impressive for his first collegiate season. Over 40 matchups, Wiebusch had 33 points on 14 goals and 19 assists.
Over his career at Penn State, the forward notched five game winning goals. This includes a three-game streak at the start of the 2025-26 season against LIU in game two and both contests of the Stonehill series.
Though undrafted, Wiebusch is one of the top NCAA free agents. It's a huge loss for the Nittany Lions who came off a decent season, but couldn't follow-up their historic run in 2024-25. Penn State is now down nine players due to either eligibility, signing, or the portal. It also potentially is at risk of losing forward Gavin McKenna once he's drafted in June.
Talent will continue cycling through the program, but it's a tough loss losing a key player like Wiebusch to the portal rather than retaining him for his junior season at least.
His linemates, Dimarsico and Cerrato, moving on from the NCAA is potentially a factor in his decision to transfer as well. Lacking those three when younger players already need to step up is significant. Out of the 12-player forward lineup, five are definitively leaving and one may also be on his way out. Half of the remaining six are freshmen. Skill aside, it's a big ask to replace a departing group of veterans.