Penn State Adds Jaxon Cover
Penn State hockey has added Jaxon Cover to its roster; the program and local coverage describe him as a projected high pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (victorybellrings.com). The signing is presented as an important infusion after the team lost significant talent following its NCAA Tournament first‑round loss to Minnesota‑Duluth (victorybellrings.com).
Penn State men’s hockey has added winger Jaxon Cover, an 18-year-old Ontario Hockey League scorer projected for the 2026 National Hockey League draft. (statecollege.com) Cover announced his commitment on Instagram on Friday, April 10. StateCollege.com reported he is a four-star left wing joining Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class after playing 67 games for the London Knights this season. (statecollege.com) Elite Prospects lists Cover at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, born February 13, 2008, and eligible for the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The same profile shows him ranked No. 38 in its consolidated draft rankings and No. 23 by Elite Prospects’ own list. (eliteprospects.com) Cover produced 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points with London in 2025-26, according to both Elite Prospects and local Penn State coverage. StateCollege.com said those 52 points were the second-most on the Knights. (eliteprospects.com) (statecollege.com) Penn State is adding him after its season ended with a 3-1 loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the Albany Regional semifinal on March 27. Penn State’s official athletics site lists that result and shows the Nittany Lions finished with their fifth National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament berth. (gopsusports.com 1) (gopsusports.com 2) The roster has thinned quickly since then. Penn State announced on March 30 that forward Matt DiMarsico signed with the Colorado Avalanche and goaltender Kevin Reidler signed with the Ottawa Senators. (gopsusports.com 1) (gopsusports.com 2) Local outlets also reported that forward Charlie Cerrato turned pro with the Chicago Wolves, while forwards J.J. Wiebusch and Nic Chin-DeGraves entered the transfer portal in early April. Those moves stripped away much of Penn State’s top-six forward group. (onwardstate.com) (statecollege.com) (victorybellrings.com) Penn State’s 2025-26 online roster still shows returning young skill around the program, including forwards Luke Misa, Lev Katzin and Gavin McKenna, plus defenseman Jackson Smith and goaltender Josh Fleming. Cover would arrive as another Canadian Hockey League addition in that group. (gopsusports.com) The commitment does not put Cover on the ice in Hockey Valley immediately; it gives Guy Gadowsky’s staff a draft-eligible scorer to build around for 2026-27. After a spring of pro signings and portal exits, Penn State has started replacing production with another player National Hockey League teams are already tracking. (statecollege.com) (eliteprospects.com)
