Oh, Hello: Justin Poirier Commits to Penn State Hockey

MONCTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Poirier #9 of Baie-Comeau Drakkar shoots the puck against Moncton Wildcats during the third period at Avenir Centre on November 10, 2024 in Moncton, Canada. (Photo by Dale Preston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Penn State hockey had been relatively quiet in the transfer portal window, but the Nittany Lions made a big splash with a commitment from former Maine forward Justin Poirier:

Poirier had 18 goals and 11 assists in 27 games in his freshman season at Maine in 2025-26. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. A right-hand shot, Poirier tore up the OHL over three seasons, including a 51-goal campaign in 2023-24 that helped earn his selection in the NHL Draft. Most projections had Poirier as the top remaining forward in the transfer portal, making this one of the biggest moves in the sport during the spring transfer window.

Penn State is losing almost its entire top six production from last season. Poirier has only one year of college experience but should fit nicely into a lineup that needs to replenish most of its goal scoring. He was tied for 25th nationally in goals and tied for 3rd among all freshman skaters.

Roster Changes (since April 1)

IN

• Justin Poirier (transferred from Maine)
• Caedan Harrington (transferred from Vermont)

OUT

• JJ Wiebusch (Wisconsin)
• Cade Christenson (Providence)
• Nic Chin-DeGraves (Arizona State)
• Aiden Fink (NHL)
• Charlie Cerrato (NHL)