So, you're a freshman? Well, welcome to the Icers.

For the Penn State Div. I ACHA Icers, freshmen provide a key component in the team's formula. From day one, the new bodies are part of an intense program designed to build chemistry, friendships and life-long bonds, according to Icers coach Joe Battista.

Battista says that upon selecting the season's squad, every team member, from the youngest to the oldest, is required to come for a mini camp. In addition to practice, all the players will go through one of the toughest dry-land sessions they'll ever have as a member of the Penn State family.

Brad Pantall, the Icers' strength and conditioning coach, will run the team to the point of utter exhaustion. While improving each person's physical condition, Battista said that the psychological benefits are even greater. Nothing builds a team quite like players overcoming a difficult challenge together.

Subsequently, each freshman will talk with team psychologist Dr. David Yukelson about setting goals, about his role on the team and about success. Also a key component of the initiation is the academic advising session, one that Battista holds in high esteem.

For this year's freshmen, the trip earlier this season to Rhode Island was particularly effective. There, the new guard got a chance to talk with the old guard, with several former Icers players speaking to the team. Freshman forward/defenseman Lucas Walker said it was a particularly effective and inspiring weekend.

"It shows how close the Icer family is," Walker said. "I'm in it now, and we're all in it for life."

Many coaches say that no amount of team building can replace the chemistry that people build on the ice playing together, and the freshmen this year have had some significant ice time. Every new player has played in at least one game so far, with four having tallied either an assist or goal. Freshman forward Brendan Martin said that freshmen play an important role on and off the ice.

"The [older guys] expect everything out of the freshmen that they expect out of themselves," Martin said.

Walker had similar things to say about the hierarchy of the team.

"They run this team as a team," Walker said. "It's not seniors and juniors, and then sophomores and freshmen."

No time was that integration more evident than this past weekend against Arizona and Drexel. With upper-class defensemen Brandon Cook and Curtiss Patrick shelved with injuries, Walker and freshman defenseman Matthew Wallace were among those filling their older counterparts' skates. Walker tallied three assists in the two games.

Nowhere was the impact of a freshman more evident than last season, when then-freshman forward Kevin Jaeger tallied an astounding 37 points, including 24 goals. Battista said that he tells players when they come in that he may give a slight edge to older guys, but the best players will play.

"They all understand that it's a senior-oriented team," Battista said. "There are players that want an absolute guarantee [they will play], but this is a meritocracy. We reward performance."

Battista said that players who will play by those rules and don't worry about being the MVP aid in team chemistry and are a big part of the Icers.

So, you're new to the program? Well, welcome aboard.