A Fresh Coaching Landscape
Penn State’s men’s ice hockey program is reshaping its front office, bringing back a familiar face while also welcoming a fresh perspective that promises to deepen the team’s operational capabilities.
Alec Marsh, a 2019 graduate who skated as a forward for the Nittany Lions, helped the club capture its first Big Ten championship in 2017 under coach Guy Gadowsky after four collegiate seasons.
Following a professional career that included stints in the SPHL and ECHL and a season abroad with the Coventry Blaze, Marsh returned to campus to begin a coaching journey that saw him lead teams to national quarterfinals and semifinals with the New Jersey Rockets and serve as an assistant at Hobart and William Smith College, where he managed video operations and travel logistics.
He now returns as Director of Player Personnel & Video, a role that blends his intimate knowledge of the program with responsibilities for scouting support and multimedia coordination.
Strategic Additions for a Modern Program
Joining Marsh is Derek Avery, a 2024 graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in statistics and completed a graduate certificate in data analytics while working for the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.
During his tenure with the Penguins, Avery coordinated player and staff travel, contributed to the scouting department, and helped develop research and development initiatives, positioning him to lead the Nittany Lions’ new Operations & Analytics office.
Together, Marsh and Avery bring a blend of on‑ice experience and analytical rigor that the program hopes will translate into stronger player development and a competitive edge.
Coach Guy Gadowsky expressed confidence that the new appointments will deepen the team’s operational efficiency and enhance the overall student‑athlete experience, underscoring the university’s commitment to modernizing its hockey operations.