A Strategic Addition for the Nittany Lions
Penn State's men's hockey program announced the verbal commitment of Kaden Pitre, a center selected 181st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2024 NHL Draft. The announcement came via Pitre's social‑media post on Saturday, marking a significant recruiting win for the university as it looks to rebuild after losing three of its seven centers during the offseason.
Pitre brings a blend of size, defensive awareness and physicality that aligns with Coach Andy Regazzi's emphasis on a proactive style. After three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Flint Firebirds and the North Bay Battalion, the player logged 44 points on 18 goals and 26 assists during the 2025‑26 campaign, numbers that underscore his offensive contribution while his scouting profile highlights his shutdown capabilities.
The commitment arrives at a critical juncture for the Nittany Lions, who saw Ben Schoen, Charlie Cerrato and Nic Chin‑DeGraves exit the program through eligibility, the Transfer Portal or professional tryout contracts. Schoen finished his redshirt senior season with 13 points and a 46.4 percent faceoff win rate, while Cerrato departed after signing a Professional Tryout Contract with the Chicago Wolves, where he posted 27 points and a 58.7 faceoff percentage. Chin‑DeGraves entered the Transfer Portal after a nine‑point season.
Filling the Gaps in the Middle
With those departures, the roster now features rising sophomores Lev Katzin and Luke Misa, and seniors Reese Laubach and Dane Dowiak. Katzin contributed five points and a 54.2 faceoff percentage, Misa added 19 points with a 50.4 percentage, Laubach tallied 28 points and a 48.5 percentage, and Dowiak posted 18 points and a 53.5 percentage. Pitre is expected to slot into the third or fourth line initially, providing depth and a defensive anchor as the team integrates new talent.
The addition of Pitre not only addresses the loss of center depth but also injects a player whose OHL experience includes stints with the Flint Firebirds and the North Bay Battalion, both of which compete in the same Canadian province where the Ontario Hockey League operates. His defensive mindset and physical presence should complement the existing mix of skill players and help the Nittany Lions aim for a stronger finish in the upcoming season.