Regular-season hockey is almost here. Obviously, there's a lot of excitement around the NHL, but collegiate hockey is continuing to grow. Gavin McKenna, who is the consensus first overall pick in next year's draft, will make his collegiate debut with the Penn State Nittany Lions tonight against the Arizona State University Sun Devils.
All eyes are on McKenna's debut, which is why the games will be aired nationally on NHL Network and YouTube. Even though the Nittany Lions will be one of the biggest headliners this season in the NCAA, nobody should overlook the Sun Devils and their potential.
Despite being new to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) last season, the Sun Devils impressed. They collected 21 wins and were consistently ranked in the top 20 by USCHO and USA Hockey. At one point, the team went on a 10-game winning streak, including back-to-back wins against Denver, who were the #1 ranked team in the nation at the time. They finished second in the NCHC, just behind the eventual national champion Western Michigan University Broncos.
Some of their key players include Cullen Potter (Calgary Flames prospect), Ben Kevan (New Jersey Devils prospect), and Jack Beck (Former AHL player). Kevan is a Devils prospect who was selected 63rd overall by the organization back in June. Pucks and Pitchforks had the chance to speak with Kevan about his decision to commit to ASU.
"We can be a top-10 team this year. We can finally show college hockey that we're not here to just be mediocre...We were one spot away from the tournament. We want to show them that we are here and we are ready to stay...We want to make sure we're dialed in for October 3rd and 4th. That's our mindset, and that's what we want to do. That's all we really care about...We're bought in for hockey...We're here to win, and that's what we're doing. That's what we're building for."Ben Kevan, Arizona State forward
Potter is entering his sophomore season and was the first-ever Sun Devils player to be selected in the first round. He and Kevan were both drafted in the same class over the summer. He talked about his time there so far and what the program.
"It's been huge having the staff have confidence in me, coming in a year early, taking a chance on me, and believing in me. I think it paid off for me and them, too. I had a great [freshman] year, and I can't wait to go back."Cullen Potter, Arizona State forward
Even though McKenna and the Nittany Lions are headlining this weekend, Sun Devils hockey is bound for greatness this season. Devils fans should be excited for the development of Kevan and what he can add to Greg Powers' roster.