Kyle Penton doesn’t flinch when a puck hurtles toward his face. But there’s no hiding his emotions when he talks about his last days as a student at the University of Southern Maine.
“I really care about this school,” said Penton. “I don’t want to just part my ways. I’m definitely gonna try and come back here whenever I can.”
Penton will graduate on May 10 with a degree in Criminology. His college years were split between academics and athletics as a goalie on the hockey team. He closed out his final season with a team leading .918 save percentage.
Penton’s development as a player reached a turning point at the end of his first season. The Huskies opened the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) playoffs with a game against Castleton. Despite being a freshman, Penton got the start in goal. He rose to the challenge and delivered a 2-1 win in overtime.
“Everyone went crazy,” said Penton. “I think the guy that scored the goal threw his stick in the stands, which was unorthodox. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. But it was awesome.”
The confidence Penton gained from that game grew with each new achievement. A 3-0 shutout over Johnson and Wales was a highlight of sophomore year. As a junior, he set a program record with 63 saves in a loss to Hobart. He came full circle in his senior year by claiming NEHC Goaltender of the Week honors for another win against Castleton.
Penton credits much of his success to team chemistry. On one of his first bus trips, he remembers breaking the ice with his teammates by serenading them with Neil Diamond’s classic love song “Sweet Caroline.”
Those bonds grew even stronger with the arrival of Matt Pinchevsky as head coach in 2023. His leadership style stressed togetherness both on and off the ice. Players regrouped after early morning practices for a team breakfast. Evenings often found them crowded around a television to watch NHL games.
“They really wanted us to stick together as teammates and pretty much as brothers because that’s kind of what it is,” said Penton. “It’s a brotherhood here.”
That feeling of belonging was so fulfilling that team leaders wanted to extend it even further. Penton was one of several players who participated in the Best Buddies program. Its mission is to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities broaden their social circles and integrate into the wider world.
Guests from Best Buddies became a familiar presence at team events. And the visits were a two-way street. Players went to group homes to hang out with their new friends. Their attention was especially appreciated around holidays like Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day.
“It was so much fun being part of that,” said Penton. “I think it really helps you come down to earth and make a lot of new friends.”
Whether it’s Best Buddies or the Huskies, Penton thrives as part of a team. And now, he’s looking for a new one. He’s in talks with a couple of semi-professional hockey teams about earning a roster spot at training camp. If it means moving to Connecticut or even Louisiana, that’s what he’ll do.
Penton knows that most athletes’ careers are all too brief. He prepared for his transition off the ice by supplementing his Criminology degree with a minor in Coaching. He hopes to one day be in charge of setting formations and calling for line changes. But he wants his player to see him as more than a strategist.
“I’ve met so many great coaches throughout my time, and they’ve had such a great impact on me,” said Penton. “I want to be able to have that impact on somebody else, too.”