In what many Penn State players and fans believed could be a breakthrough season, the 2023-24 campaign unfolded differently than anticipated. The Nittany Lions went a disappointing 15-18-3, allowing a Big Ten worst of 130 goals.
The Nittany Lions returned a veteran defense led by captain Christian Berger, but they were plagued by injuries from the start. Defensemen Jimmy Dowd Jr. and Carter Schade missed early-season action due to injury, and Berger sat out the final six games with a wrist fracture.
Penn State hopes to sure up the backend with an incoming freshmen class that includes four defensemen.