Story by
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
Penn State's Aiden Fink inks deal with Predators
- Story byThe Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
- Penn State's Aiden Fink inks deal with Predators
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Penn State junior forward Aiden Fink became the 15th Nittany Lion in program history, third this year, to put pen to paper on an NHL contract as he signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Nashville Predators .
Fink, infamously known as long-time General Manager David Poile's final draft pick, signed a deal with the Milwaukee Admirals at the end of March. Fink has played the past six games for Milwaukee, registering 10 points, all coming in his past five games, on three goals and seven assists. He posted a four-assist game in just his second career AHL appearance, helping the team clinch a 2026 Calder Cup Playoff spot.
Advertisement
Fink joins teammates Matt DiMarsico ( Colorado ) and Kevin Reidler ( Ottawa ) who also inked their deals following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Arsenii Sergeev ( Calgary ), Alex Limoges ( Washington ), Aarne Talvitie ( New Jersey ), Peyton Jones (Colorado), Cole Hults ( Los Angeles ), Evan Barratt ( Chicago ), Nate Sucese (Arizona), Brandon Biro (Buffalo), Andrew Sturtz (Ottawa), Casey Bailey ( Toronto ), Eamon McAdam ( New York Islanders ) and Vince Pedrie ( New York Rangers ) also agreed to NHL contracts following their time at Penn State.
"Aiden Fink has had great success in his three years at Penn State and we are all thrilled for him to be signing a contract with Nashville," Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky said. "His offensive statistics and skills are well-documented, but he will also be remembered for his attention to puck management and how much he gave of himself every game. He absolutely earned this contract, and we all wish him the very best."
Fink, who was named a 2026 all-Big Ten honorable mention, concludes his Nittany Lion career tied for third with Alex Limoges on the Penn State all-time scoring list with 125 points in his career on 48 goals and 77 assists. His goal total is tied with Liam Folkes for sixth, while his assists are good for third alone.
Advertisement
Fink became the fastest Nittany Lion to 100 career points this season, doing so in just his 87th career game and he is the only Nittany Lion to begin his career with three-straight 30-plus point seasons.
The Calgary, Alberta, native had one of the most successful seasons in program history as a sophomore, helping lead Penn State to its first Frozen Four, setting program records along the way with 53 points on 23 goals and 30 assists. His single-season point record remains as he is one of just three Nittany Lions all-time to eclipse the 50-point mark in a season, while his 23 goals are tied with Limoges for the single-season standard. Fink's 30 assists lasted less than a year as a single-season mark after being passed by Gavin McKenna this season.
Fink was a unanimous selection to the 2025 Big Ten first team, the first Nittany Lion to earn a unanimous first-team selection, while also becoming Penn State's first Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist as well as being named a second-team All-American.
Fink finished his junior season with 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points in just 30 games after missing part of the season with a broken thumb. His 1.2 points per game average in 104 career games is the second-best mark, just shy of McKenna's 1.46.
