Penn State has flipped one of the nation’s top prospects, securing a rising star commitment.

Penn State hockey got more good news for its future on Tuesday afternoon. Layne Loomer, a forward in the 2005 birth year class, flipped his commitment to the Nittany Lions. Since last December, he has been committed to Augustana. Augustana is a small school in South Dakota that is in the midst of its first Division I season this year.

Penn State flips another top recruit’s commitment

Layne Loomer currently plays for the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in Western Canada. Last season, he put on an impressive 47 points in 55 games including 17 goals. So far this season, he is on pace for even more impressive numbers. In the first 19 games for the Bulldogs, he has nine goals and 17 assists. 

He will add to what will be a high-powered offensive attack for the Nittany Lions next season. He will be complimenting Charlie Cerrato, formerly a Michigan hockey commit, who is one of the highest-rated Nittany Lion recruits of all time. Cerrato already has 14 points in 9 games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL). 

Penn State hockey is also bolstering its defense in hopes of reaching new heights as a program. They will bring in defensemen Jason Gallucci and Nicholas Facia. Both New Jersey products, Gallucci and Facia are currently playing in the USHL. They will both add a physical presence to the blue line for the Nittany Lions.

There will be question marks, particularly in goal, but the 2024-2025 iteration of the Nittany Lions is likely to be the best team in program history, at least from a raw talent perspective. With additional pieces likely to be added through the transfer portal, it should be a team that has four lines that can put the puck in the net with a solid defense.

The goal for the program will undoubtedly be a Frozen Four appearance and contention for a national title. The 2025 Frozen Four will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The new look, high-powered Nittany Lions will first take the ice next October in front of an excited fan base with high expectations.