Player Spotlight: Andrew Sturtz

Audio/Story posted January 31, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports by Jason Marcus

 

When you think of Men’s Hockey at Penn State, you think of a couple things: You think of the loud sounds of excitement from the student section, the frosty air of Pegula Ice Arena, and you think of Andrew Sturtz.

Sturtz currently holds multiple school records, including the Penn State single-game record for assists with four, the single-game record for points with five, and most importantly he holds the all-time school record for goals with 46 in his career.

Before starting his playing career at Penn State, the Buffalo native was an incredible scorer for the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL. He had a total of 217 points in just two seasons. He also led the league in scoring with 104 points in 2013, was named MVP, and led his team to Fred Page Championships in which he was named MVP of the series in 2014. He also spent some time in the GOJHL playing for the St. Catherine’s Falcons where he won them a championship during the 2011-2012 season.

Needless to say, coming to Penn State, there were high expectations for Sturtz. However, over the course of the year, he would not only meet those expectations but would exceed them. Sturtz appeared in 37 games his freshman season and had the fifth-most goals in the nation by a freshman with 18, which also lead the team. His 27 points were also good enough for third most on the team. He would have more of the same type of success in his sophomore year, once again leading the team in scoring with 22 goals through 37 games, matching a Penn State single-season record.

Sturtz is currently in his junior season, where has 11 goals through his first 27 games. However, perhaps the biggest game of his career occurred on November 3rd against Mercyhurst. During the game he recorded four assists, breaking a Penn State single-game record. However, his biggest accomplishment would come with just 12 seconds left in the game.

From his blue line, Sturtz heaved the puck into an empty net to become the all-time leader in goals for Penn State Hockey with 46. While still a lot of career left, Sturtz without a doubt solidified himself as one of, if not the, best hockey player in Penn State history.

Everybody has a passion. For some, their passion is just a hobby. For others, it can become a career. However, for Andrew Sturtz, hockey is a lifestyle. Since he began playing at a young age, Sturtz has consistently been one of the best players on the ice no matter where he is playing. His unmatched ability to make plays and score goals have catapulted him to the forefront of the minds of those within the hockey community. At just 23 years of age, Andrew Stutz has completed more than some people can say they have accomplished in their lifetime. However, with so much hockey left in him, only time will tell how his legacy will be defined at the end. But one thing is for sure, no matter where he goes, or what he continues to accomplish, his legacy at Penn State is solidified, and he will go down as one of the best to ever do it in Happy Valley.

 

Jason Marcus is a junior at Penn State, studying Telecommunications. You can contact him at jasmarcus320@gmail.com.