Something in the Water at Penn State?: Former Gopher Max Gardiner Heads to Penn State

By Jessi Pierce

Maybe it's the allure of a brand new arena. Or maybe it's the appeal of putting an unknown team on the map as they forge ahead into unchartered waters in a teams history. Whatever it is, Penn State's doing something right, tabbing their first ever NHL draft pick yesterday with the announcement that Max Gardiner (St. Louis Blues, 2010 3rd Rd.) has committed to PSU.

The highly sought-after recruit has already had a taste of NCAA Div.I action, suiting up with his hometown--and future Penn State Big Ten rival--Minnesota Gophers for the 2010-11 season.

But limited playing time with the Gophs caused the Minnetonka, Minn., native to rethink his options and the forward decided to leave Minnesota in favor of the USHL, where the Dubuque Fighting Saints wasted no time nabbing his rights.

"We had a good conversation and he was disappointed in the ice time he received last year and was concerned about playing time in the upcoming season," said Minnesota coach Don Lucia in a released statement to the press last May. "Leaving assures him of the ice time he is looking for. I am disappointed he is leaving, but I understand his decision and wish him the best of luck."

Seeing action in only 17 games and registering one goal and two assists for Minnesota, the USHL has been a much better option (as the Minnesota program has often be heavily criticized in recent years for grabbing players directly from high school without allowing development in juniors) for the former Skipper who helped lead his team in the 2010 Minnesota State High School Championships.

Now in 21 games, the left-hander has tallied 11 points and has certainly come into his own as of late this season.

Will he make an immediate impact for Penn State? Maybe. Is it a great lock for the Icers/Nittany Lions? Absolutely.

I say only maybe because, while an excellent player in high school, Gardiner really has yet to prove himself at a level beyond that. Struggles at Minnesota didn't necessarily disappear while in juniors as the once power forward still needs time to gain his footing.

Despite that, there is no doubt in my mind, or I am sure many others, that Gardiner will be a sensation on the ice for this Penn State team. Already drawing on the talent of Taylor Holmstrom (Mercyhurst transfer),  Bryce Johnson (St. Cloud State transfer who, like Gardiner opted for USHL after freshman campaign), Gardiner will be able to move around with these two and plenty of others.

The Gardiner news, while not quite on the hot news circuit yet, is sure to gain attention and shift focus on to recruits entering the  PSU hockey organization. The forward committing to Penn State also speaks volumes on this program, with Gardiner being heavily recruited by other Div. I schools such as North Dakota and Western Michigan.

All in all another shocking, and impressive, move for Penn State as the program continues to develop into an elite Div. I contender.

For even more on Max Gardiner, check out the Thank You Terry site. Some great stats and breakdowns.

B1G Player in the Big Leagues: Jack Skille

By Jessi Pierce

There’s no sweeter story than going to play college hockey for your hometown team. It’s the team you grew up cheering for and the team who’s posters and banners most likely hung on your bedroom wall. That’s exactly the sentiments that Jack Skille echoed when I had a chance to chat with the Madison, Wis., native last year.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a Badger,” said Skille, who now suits up for the NHL’s Florida Panthers. “My dad was a Badger and I used to fall asleep at the games when I was a little kid. It was a dream come true the day they offered me that full scholarship and I jumped on it.

"Being able to go home and play in front of my family friends was something truly great."

Making an immediate impact in his freshman campaign, Skille's most noteable impression was seen in the NCAA tournament when his triple-overtime game-winner pushed Wisconsin into the Frozen Four and the enivitable 2006 NCAA Championships.


"That was surreal," Skille said on winning the NCAA title. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. It was a fun team to be a part of and the way [the tournament] was laid out, Green Bay and Milwaukee [for Regionals], if we were going to win a championship, that was going to be our year."

Injury sidelined the dominant forward for the 2006-07 season and following his sophomore year he turned his attention to the pros.

Drafted with the Blackhawks first pick in 2005 among an elite draft class including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson, Skille saw ups and downs, jumping between Chicago and its affiliate in Rockford, Ill.

While it looked like Skille may have found his groove with the Blackhawks, even earning a spot on a line between Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews before rostering a permanent spot on the 4th line, a trade sent him away from the Midwest and down to Miami with the Florida Panthers where he currently has registered just six points (2G, 3A) in 31 games.

Check out my previous story and video interview with Jack Skille in USA Hockey Magazine.

New Feature: B1G Players in the Big Leagues

When you sit back and think about some of the most influential and dominant hockey players (with an emphasis on U.S. born ones) who comes to mind? Chances are at least half of your top ten will feature players from one of the future Big Ten hockey schools.

That's why each week, we here at B1G Ice Hockey will be bringing you a spotlighted "B1G Player in Big Leagues."

So send us some recommendations of your favorite hockey player(s), past or present, former and current NHLers (or even playing some form of pro somewhere) from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State and we will try and feature them! Email at b1gicehockey@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter (@B1GIceHockey) and Facebook to share your ideas.

Up First:

Jack Skille (Wisconsin)

Erik Johnson (Minnesota)

Erik Nystrom (Michigan)

Alex Goligoski (Minnesota)

Check back soon!

Oops!

We wanted to correct our past use of "Nittany Lions" in Penn State posts. Currently, the Penn State hockey team is dubbed the "Icers", not Nittany Lions. We apologize for any confusion and will be sure to use the correct nickname from here on out.

If you spot any corrections that need to be made, don't hesitate to shoot us an email at b1gicehockey@gmail.com.

As always thanks for reading, and check back later today as we recap yesterday's Michigan-Ohio State Frozen Diamond Matchup.

**Oops we did it again...of course we mean that we will call them the Icers for the remainder of this season...sorry Adam ;)

The B1G Scoreboard (1/13/12-1/15/12)

(Articles are linked once available)

Men's Scores from 1/13/12:

• Northern Michigan 5, Michigan State 5 OT (MSU wins 1-0 in SO) - MSU Gets Shootout Victory Over Wildcats After 5-5 Tie
• Michigan 4, Ohio State 0  - Hunwick Makes 46 Saves in Shutout Win at No.2 Ohio State
• Wisconsin 4, Minnesota State 0 - Wisconsin grabs first road win, shutout of the season in 4-0 victory
• Minnesota 1 North Dakota 2 - North Dakota Edges Minnesota, 2-1
• University of Rhode Island 3, Penn State 9 - Icers Users Nine Goals to Cruise by Rhode Island

Women's Scores from 1/13/12:

• Ohio State 5, Bemidji State 3
• Minnesota 2, Minnesota-Duluth 4
• Penn State 3, Sacred Heart 4

Men's Scores from 1/14/12:

• Northern Michigan 1, Michigan State 2 - MSU Snaps Winless Skid with 2-1 Victory
• Wisconsin 0, Minnesota State 3 - Badgers blanked by Minnesota State
• Minnesota 6, North Dakota Minnesota 2 - Minnesota Rocks North Dakota 6-2
• University of Rhode Island 1, Penn State 2 - Icers Sweep

Women's Scores from 1/14/12:

• Ohio State 2, Bemidji State 4
• Minnesota 3, Minnesota-Duluth 0
• Wisconsin 8, North Dakota 2
• Penn State 3, Sacred Heart 2 OT

Men's Scores from 1/15/12:

• Michigan 4, Ohio State 1 - Wolverines Crush No.2 Buckeyes in Frozen Diamond Faceoff

Women's Scores from 1/15/12:

• Wisconsin 4, North Dakota 4 (UND wins in SO, 4 rounds)