Superstar forward Gavin McKenna, the highest-rated recruit in NCAA history, shook up the college hockey world with his commitment to Penn State on July 8.

While I made original line predictions in early June after Jackson Smith’s pledge, McKenna’s commitment shakes up those projections for the 2025 season, and when broken down, the new predictions show the immense depth the Nittany Lions have for next year.

With that being said, here are my line projections for next season.

Projected Lines:

First line: Gavin McKenna – Reese Laubach – Aiden Fink

Reasoning:

With the addition of McKenna in July, the superstar forward immediately slots into the first line. He’s an elite playmaker with immense creativity that will significantly boost Aiden Fink and Reese Laubach’s stock.

While Laubach is not the most talented center on the team following the offseason acquisitions for Guy Gadowsky, he still centered Fink during a season which saw Fink finish as a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist and the leading scorer in the Big Ten.

Laubach’s strong work along the boards also helps with puck battles and holding extended o-zone time, something the opposition doesn’t want against Fink or McKenna.

Second line: Matt DiMarsico – Charlie Cerrato – JJ Wiebusch

Reasoning:

The 2024-25 campaign saw a first line of Fink, Laubach and Danny Dzhaniyev dominate the opposition. It also saw this second line put Penn State on its back and carry it to a Frozen Four berth.

The trio led the team in postseason scoring by a wide margin and meshed well, leaving no reason for Gadowsky to split them up.

This line sends the puck toward the net often and forechecks well, but is also stout defensively. All three skaters totaled a net rating of 12 or higher over the course of last year.

Third line: Shea Van Olm – Luke Misa – Andrew Kuzma

Reasoning:

A third line of Shea Van Olm, Luke Misa and Andrew Kuzma will bring the intensity. It consists of two big forwards in Van Olm and Kuzma who are physical and a quick, agile center in Misa who thrives in transition — it’s a match made in heaven.

Gadowsky also confirmed Tuesday that Kuzma is ready to go for 2025 after undergoing heart surgery last season and missing the entire 2024 campaign, which means a spot among the four offensive lines should be his to lose after scoring 52 points in the USHL in the 2023-24 season.

Fourth line: Lev Katzin – Keaton Peters – Dane Dowiak

Reasoning:

A fourth line that consists of an elite playmaker in Lev Katzin, strong faceoff center in Keaton Peters and gritty, do-it-all forward in Dane Dowiak could cause problems for opponents. It shapes up as one of the best fourth lines in college hockey and it might be an identity line with three high-energy players.

Projected Defense Pairings:

First pairing: Jackson Smith – Nolan Collins

Reasoning:

Jackson Smith was drafted 14th overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets in this year’s NHL draft due to his high ceiling. He’s a 200-foot, versatile defenseman who turns defense into offense in a split second. Pair that with a big-bodied blue liner in Nolan Collins who is stout defensively and it’ll be hard to score on the Nittany Lions.

Second pairing: Cade Christenson* – Mac Gadowsky

Reasoning:

Tuesday afternoon, Guy Gadowsky made it public news that Cade Christenson is unlikely to be ready at the start of the 2025 campaign.

Regardless, whenever Christenson is healthy, he is a stout defensive presence next to Mac Gadowsky, who brings elite offensive prowess to Penn State’s blue line after finishing as a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist for Army last season.

Third pairing: Carter Schade – Casey Aman

Reasoning:

Carter Schade and Casey Aman paired together last season and were an instant match. Both players recorded numerous career highs and are set for a strong 2025 season. Schade is still recovering from a lower-body injury, but he’s expected to be ready in October.

Projected Goaltenders:

Starting netminder: Kevin Reidler

Backup netminder: Josh Fleming

Third-string netminder: John Seifarth

Reasoning:

Guy Gadowsky confirmed Tuesday that he will be rolling with only three goaltenders this season. That leaves netminder Noah Grannan as the odd-man out. Kevin Reidler was brought in to replace Arsenii Sergeev as the starting goaltender, while Josh Fleming and John Seifarth will battle for the second and third-string positions.

MORE HOCKEY CONTENT

The great thing about sports documentaries is that they can cover a huge, HUGE amount of events. Obviously, the stuff that immediately comes to mind are the huge sporting events from around the world, but if you think smaller, think more niche, there is very likely a fantastic documentary dealing with that event too.

Fascinated by deep-sea diving? A must-watch for you is The Deepest Breath. A lover of e-sports? Then you have to check out The King Of Kong. Looking for something completely left field but still super competitive? Spellbound is the one for you, set in the world of spelling bees.

Sports fans tend to follow more than just the games—news, stats, even things like betting offers often come up in the mix. These documentaries tap into that same wide interest, showing how deep the love for competition can go.

See what we mean? There is quite literally something for everyone. Whittling down that list to five of the best is tough, but these picks are tremendous, and some of the best movies ever made, not just under the banner of sports documentaries.

So on with our five picks, and where to watch them* right now:

Free Solo – Disney+

From the description alone, you would be forgiven for thinking this isn’t going to be THAT interesting a watch, as the documentary profiles rock climber Alex Honnold on his quest to perform the first-ever free solo climb of a route on El Capitan, a vertical rock formation found in Yosemite National Park in California. So you’ll have to trust us when we tell you this is one of the most edge-of-your-seat movies you’ll ever see, and it proved to be so impressive that it went on to win the Best Documentary Oscar back in 2019.

Murderball – rent on Apple TV

This documentary focuses on the intense rivalry between the American and Canadian wheelchair rugby teams in the run-up to the 2004 Paralympic Games taking place in Athens, Greece. We get to know the players and their families, who all talk openly and frankly about their injuries, personal lives, and the love of the game that has them all vying for the gold. This movie was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2006 Oscars, but lost out to March of the Penguins.

Icarus – Netflix

Some of the best documentaries are those that begin filming with something specific in mind – in this case, director Bryan Fogel wanted to expose the inadequacy of the procedures to catch athletes using performance-enhancing substances – but become something else over the course of the movie being made – here, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation of doping in Russia led to the head of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory to flee his country and become a whistleblower. Icarus went on to win the 2018 Best Documentary Feature Oscar.

Senna – Netflix

Arguably one of the best and most impactful documentaries not to even be nominated for an Oscar, this film tells the story of much-loved Brazilian motor-racing champion Ayrton Senna. Directed by Asif Kapadia (who went on to win an Oscar in 2016 for his Amy Winehouse documentary), it tells us about Senna’s life, death, and intimate rivalry with fellow driver Alain Prost through archival race footage and home video recorded by Senna’s friends and family.

When We Were Kings – Sky/NOW

Another Best Documentary Picture winner, focusing on the night of The Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Betting offers on underdog Muhammad Ali were 4-1 against the then-unbeaten, heavy-hitting George Forman. It took director Leon Gast over 22 years to edit and finance before it could be released in 2006, when it was met with immediate critical acclaim, and the movie is still considered to be one of the best sports documentaries ever made.

*Information correct for readers in the UK and Ireland at the time of writing

The president’s granddaughter has already secured her first partnership despite not yet becoming a college athlete, having signed with a renowned energy drinks brand alongside some famous faces

Kai Trump has secured her first NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) partnership ahead of playing golf at the University of Miami next year after joining forces with energy drinks brand Accelerator Active Energy.

The 18-year-old aspiring golfer doesn’t begin her scholarship with the Hurricanes until 2026 but is already making the most of her popularity by linking up with the company, which is renowned for launching “The Livvy Fund” with former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne to support women’s college athletes.

Earlier this year, it emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump’s granddaughter could become one of the highest paid female athletes ever having developed a growing NIL stock since taking up golf. The teenager’s substantial social media following also significantly contributes to her valuation, as does her highly-popular YouTube channel.

READ MORE: Jordan Spieth reveals major family update on eve of The Open ChampionshipREAD MORE: Mike Tyson wastes no time calling out Jake Paul after Katie Taylor result

In January, Trump actually sealed an NIL deal with Dallas-based Leaf Trading Cards, which sells autographed cards for $200 a pack, but it would appear that her recent announcement involving Accelerator Active Energy has blown that out of the water.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Trump used a presidential-themed announcement to reveal her big news, in which she made a speech at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, telling all “fellow Americans and content creators” that she’s partnered and invested in Accelerator.

“My fellow Americans and content creators. After months of reflection, I made a decision. I’ll be running, no stepping into a new role,” Trump began. “One with great responsibilities and 100% natural caffeine. I’ve partnered with Accelerator. No sugar. No crash. Cheers.”

In the post’s caption, she added: “Not running for office… just running on Rocket Pop. Proud to partner with @drinkaccelerator — check out my favorite energy drink on Amazon and select retailers near you!”

In the comments section, the official Drink Accelerator account posted: “Welcome to the team, Kai”, while former college gymnastics champion Dunne wrote: “Welcome to the fam!!!”

Also on the energy drink’s roster as an equity partner is Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who has helped to highlight the drink’s key features, such as its natural caffeine, lack of added sugar and preservatives, in previous campaigns.

“It’s pretty cool, especially being partners with such great athletes and being up there with him,” Trump told FOX Business about what it’s like to be part of a star-studded team.

The aspiring golfer added how Accelerator is “so important to ensuring I stay focused and have extra energy when I’m in the gym, on the golf course, studying, traveling or as part of my daily routine.”

Trump’s arrival has been welcomed with open arms by Accelerator Active Energy CEO Andrew Wilkinson, who said in a statement: “Kai has a very busy schedule including golf, content creation, travel and much more and Accelerator is the perfect solution to providing her the sustained energy without sugar while she’s on the go.

“We are excited to see all she is going to accomplish in the years ahead as she becomes a leading voice in NIL and beyond.”

Perreault started to get a fresh look in front of the new coaching staff led by Mike Sullivan in New York’s three-day development camp from June 30-July 2.

But from their homework on him, it’s likely that they already know what he is capable of, and that they saw what Boston College coach Greg Brown saw in Perreault’s five-game NHL stint at the end of last season.

He didn’t look out of place. He wasn’t overwhelmed.

“I think one of the biggest things going from college to pro is the adjustment to the speed of the game, and it looked at least on TV (last season) that Gabe was processing at that speed, which is the hardest thing to adjust to,” Brown told NHL.com. “He was a brilliant high IQ player here (at BC) and you just wonder how long it will take to adjust, but he looked comfortable out there. It wasn’t too fast for him mentally. That’s a great sign for him going forward.”

To make it, though, Perreault has to show the Rangers he is physically ready too.

“The stuff that he has is the stuff that is hard to find, and really hard to teach,” Brown said. “If the Rangers felt he wasn’t ready it would just be those things, trying to get a little stronger and a little faster so you can be ready for the wear and tear of an NHL season.”

To that end, Perreault said his focus this summer has been on adding some weight to his 5-foot-11, 178-pound frame along with improving his skating. He realized the importance of physical strength and skating in his five-game run with the Rangers at the end of last season.

“You hear about it, but you don’t really know until you’re in it,” Perreault said. “I wouldn’t say it’s more than I expected, but you don’t really know until you’re part of it and you experience it.”

Provided Perreault can withstand the physical rigors, David Carle, the head coach at Denver University, explained why he would be able to excel quickly as a point-producer in the NHL.

Carle knows Perreault from coaching him in the past two IIHF World Junior Championships. Together, they helped the United States win gold both times.

“Gabe is very cerebral,” Carle told NHL.com. “His knack for being able to find open ice himself, get the puck to his teammates in open ice, anticipate and read offense with a great defensive stick as well, it’s really uncanny. He hasn’t been the biggest player coming up, so he’s had to do it in different ways and I think his sense is outstanding and really gives him a chance to be a difference maker at any level.”

The Rangers expect that from Perreault eventually.

It’s also reasonable to expect his experience at the end of last season, and the summer skates with Kane and others, are enough to put Perreault on a fast track to the NHL, giving him an advantage going into training camp, potentially enough to turn him into an NHL player by Oct. 7.

“Now he can understand what the expectations are and what the League demands,” New York director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said. “I think it adds a little extra motivation and working harder. He’s definitely doing that.”

Johnny Manziel believes he would have put the NFL off longer if Name, Image, and Likeness had been available during his career at Texas A&M.

Manziel declared for the 2014 NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season with the Aggies. He went on to sign a four-year, $8.2 million rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns, who selected the polarizing quarterback with the 22nd overall pick.

Dubbed “Johnny Football,” Manziel believes he would have stood to earn considerably more in NIL over his final two years of eligibility than going to the NFL.

After becoming the first-ever freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, the Manning Award and the Davey O’Brien Award while throwing for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns as a freshman, Manziel threw for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns the next season.

“I tell people this all the time, and they asked me this, I really feel like I would have taken a pay cut had I gone to the NFL,” Manziel said on Always College Football, per On3.com. “I mean, that’s really what it would have been. I mean, it is crazy times that we’re living, and I think, you know, in a lot of areas, still figuring out exactly how to make it work the right way, where it’s not just the biggest boosters and the richest schools. If you look at A&M, you know, I feel like we’ve put a ton of money in it to our NIL, and it hasn’t necessarily translated onto the field.

“So, you know, I feel guys who are playing at a high level, who are really noticeable and really marketable, are making a great amount of money off the field, to the point where guys have the opportunity to stay in school rather than having to go to the NFL early.”

Following two controversy-laden seasons, Manziel was released by the Browns and did not throw another pass in the NFL. After being out of football for two years, he played for Hamilton and Montreal in the Canadian Football League in 2018 and spent time with the AAF’s Memphis express in 2019.

Manziel later played two seasons in the Fan Controlled Football League from 2021-22.

–Field Level Media