Penn State’s hockey program is more notable for its off-ice contribution to college hockey than its on-ice one. In 2010, the school announced plans to elevate the men’s program to NCAA Division I. Following that announcement, the Big Ten then announced plans to begin sponsoring men’s ice hockey as a varsity sport starting in 2013-14. The formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference completely redrew the conference lines out west and resulted in Notre Dame joining Hockey East. Last season, Penn State’s only as a D-I independent, the Nittany Lions finished 13-14-0 on the year playing a mixed NCAA / ACHA schedule.