20 days away.
That’s all that separates this next generation of prospects from hearing their names called on the draft stage. For Penn State specifically, this year’s NHL inductions feel particularly titillating, with a strong group of prospects taking their final steps in the process.
On Saturday, three Nittany Lions participated in the NHL Draft Combine’s fitness tests in Buffalo, New York. The group included last season’s blue-and-white star rookie and presumed No. 1 overall selection, Gavin McKenna, along with incoming freshman commits Jaxon Cover and Pierce Mbuyi.
Here’s an official recap of the tests.
Gavin McKenna, Left Winger
The man grabbing all the headlines out of Happy Valley this season, and the most hyped prospect in recent collegiate hockey history, showcased all his talents in Buffalo. The forecasted No. 1 selection did almost all he could, going through eight of a possible 15 tests.
Horizontal Jump: 108.0 (placed 23 out of 25 participants)
VO2Max: 65.0 (placed first out of 27 participants)
Pro Agility – Left: 4.4s (tied 16 other participants for highest time)
Pro Agility – Right: 4.5s (tied 17 other participants for highest time)
Isokinetic Squat: 3.40lb/lb of BW (placed fourth out of 27 participants)
Anaerobic Fitness – Peak Power Output: 15.8 Watts/kg (placed 11th out of 14 scores)
Force Plate No Arm Jump: 19.5in (placed eighth out of 26 participants)
Pull-Ups: 14 (fifth highest score, tied with five)
Pierce Mbuyi, Left Winger
Before he’s even played his first collegiate game at Pegula Ice Arena, the Penn State commit already is building a solid resume ahead of the draft. Ranked as the No. 56 prospect by NHL.com, Mbuyi is considered a second-round talent and backed that assessment with his performance across six fitness tests.
Horizontal Jump: 109.0 (placed 14th out of 25 participants)
Isokinetic Squat: 3.62lb/lb BW (placed first out of 27 participants)
Force Plate No Arm Jump: 18.5in (placed 16th out of 26 participants)
Bench Press Power: 7.1 Watts/KG (placed second out of 23 participants)
Right Hand Grip: 161lb (placed 20 out of 25 participants)
Pull-Ups: 14 (fifth highest score, tied with five)
Jaxon Cover, Right Winger
Ranked slightly higher than Mbuyi, the other incoming freshman is rated as the No. 29 prospect by NHL.com, and the national hype has built for his collegiate career ahead of him. Yet the intrigue builds for Cover, as he only participated in two fitness tests at the combine.
10m Sprint: 2.13s (slowest recorded time, tied with seven others)
Anaerobic Fitness: Fatigue Index: 41.5 % Drop From Peak (placed fifth out of 25 participants)
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