Wiebusch and McKenna Earn National Awards for October
JJ Wiebusch and Gavin McKenna received national honors from the Hockey Commissioners Association for their outstanding performances in October, continuing Penn State’s strong start to the season.
Player Awards
- JJ Wiebusch (sophomore, Verona, Wis.) was named National Co-Player of the Month.
- Gavin McKenna (freshman, Whitehorse, Yukon) was awarded National Rookie of the Month.
Both players were key contributors to Penn State’s impressive 9-1-0 record in October.
Team Rankings and Streak
Penn State holds the No. 3 spot in both national polls and is on a seven-game winning streak. The team is preparing for a significant Big Ten series against No. 1 Michigan State in East Lansing this weekend.
Historical Significance
Wiebusch and McKenna are the third and fourth Nittany Lions to receive Hockey Commissioners Association awards. They join:
- Evan Barratt, Co-Player of the Month in November 2018 as a sophomore
- Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alberta), Rookie of the Month in November 2023
Wiebusch's Season Highlights
Wiebusch has twice been named Big Ten Star of the Week this season, including the second star for the current week. He leads the nation with 11 goals and is tied for second nationally with 18 points, ranking first in the Big Ten alongside teammate Cerrato.
"Wiebusch has twice been recognized by the Big Ten as a Star of the Week this season including as this current week’s second star as he leads the nation with 11 goals while his 18 points are tied for second nationally and tops in the Big Ten with Cerrato."
Author’s summary: JJ Wiebusch and Gavin McKenna’s national awards highlight their critical roles in Penn State’s dominant October start and the team’s rising prominence in college hockey.