Wiebusch, McKenna Garner National Award Recognition for October

WAKEFIELD, Mass. – Penn State’s men’s hockey program continues to collect early-season honors as two standout players received national recognition from the Hockey Commissioners Association.

National Awards for Wiebusch and McKenna

Sophomore JJ Wiebusch of Verona, Wisconsin, was named the National Co-Forward of the Month, while freshman Gavin McKenna from Whitehorse, Yukon, earned the National Rookie of the Month award. Their outstanding performances helped the Nittany Lions achieve a 9–1–0 record in October.

Team Success and Rankings

With a seven-game winning streak, Penn State holds the No. 3 position in both national polls as the team heads to East Lansing for a crucial Big Ten series against top-ranked Michigan State.

Historic Honors for Penn State

Wiebusch and McKenna join a short list of Nittany Lions recognized by the HCA. Previous recipients include Evan Barratt, who was named Co-Player of the Month in November 2018, and junior Aiden Fink from Calgary, Alberta, honored as Rookie of the Month in November 2023.

Stats and Performance

Wiebusch has twice earned Big Ten “Star of the Week” honors this season, most recently as the conference’s second star. He currently leads the nation with 11 goals and ranks second nationally with 18 points, topping all Big Ten skaters.

“Wiebusch leads the nation with 11 goals while his 18 points are tied for second nationally and first in the Big Ten.”

Author’s summary: Wiebusch and McKenna’s performances in October propelled Penn State’s hockey team to national prominence, earning both players major collegiate awards.

gopsusports.com — 2025-11-07