Joe Battista still remembers the phone call he received from Andrew Strasser nearly 16 years ago.

"I was like, 'Wow! Why did he want to come here?' " the former Penn State hockey head coach said
when Strasser decided to play for the Icers.

Strasser, a decorated junior player from Nova Scotia, played for Battista from 1991-1995, and cemented his legacy as one of the best defensive forwards in program history. He was also crucial in recruiting native countryman, Alon Eizenman.

On Saturday, the duo that Battista dubbed Penn State's "Canadian Connection" returned to Happy Valley to be inducted into the Icers' Hall of Fame.

"I was so thrilled, just looking forward to getting a chance to come back to State College, see the team play and reconnect with everyone," Strasser said. "When I came here at 18 years old, the Penn State group became my family, so it was a little bit of a homecoming this weekend."

Growing up in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and playing hockey, you wouldn't expect Strasser to know much about the Nittany Lions. However, having a father who graduated from Penn State changed all of that.

"There weren't a lot of Penn Staters up in eastern Canada, but my dad studied here for his master's degree, and, when I grew up, I was the only one watching Penn State bowl games as a kid," he said. "So, when I had the chance to come here -- I knew it was a great school and had a great range of academic programs -- and play on a competitive hockey program, I jumped at the opportunity to do that ... and it worked out so well."

During his playing career, Strasser saw Penn State go 109-22-3, capture the ICHL regular-season title and two ACHL regular-season and playoff championships. He also tallied 40 goals and 65 assists while centering the Icers' checking line, and was affectionately referred to as the "Flying Frenchman" by his coaches and teammates.

But it was Strasser's work with the team once his playing days were finished that really left a mark.

Strasser, who majored in General Studies, remained at Penn State after graduating to earn a master's and Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health, and he became the team's first paid assistant coach in 1995. After four years of sitting on the bench, he was now standing behind it as a highly regarded graduate assistant.

With his obvious ties to Canada, he was also a natural recruiter, who was able to attract talented players from his home country -- like Eizenman -- to Penn State.

"I owe Strass a lot. He not only made the effort to bring me here, but he was a great source of help and information when I was an 18-year-old, homesick and a little frustrated," Eizenman said. "He was a huge help; I can't say enough about the guy."

Eizenman joined the Icers in 1997 after playing for the Markam Waxers of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and the Israeli National Team. And while Battista knew that the program was adding a great player, there was no way he could have predicted just how good Eizenman would be.

"Alon was probably one of the most gifted and talented players that we ever had," Battista said. "He is just an all-around, terrific talent, and one of the brightest kids I ever met."

Known for his play-making ability and knack for scoring, Eizenman had his fare share of highlight-reel moments. Not only did the Toronto native earn the fifth spot on the Icers' all-time scoring list with 260 career points, but he also received two ACHA All-America selections, two ACHA National Tournament MVPs and an ACHA Player of the Year award.

Not to mention, he was an integral part of three ACHA National Championship teams (97-98, 99-00 and 2000-01), including the memorable 1999-2000 team that completed the "Magic City Miracle" by winning three straight come-from-behind, overtime games to claim the title.

For Eizenman, that historic run was his most memorable on-ice moment as an Icer.

"We were a really young team and not expected to do very much," he said. "I have never seen a team pull together that well when they are up against it. I think back to that tournament often and I really love it."

Strasser and Eizenman have certainly done a lot on the ice for Penn State. But it is what they have accomplished off of it that has made Battista truly proud.

Strasser is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. As for Eizenman, who graduated with a degree in finance before playing professionally in Europe with the Diables Noirs of the French Super 16 League. He now lives in his hometown and is wrapping up a law degree at the University of Toronto.

"They've been pretty damned successful," Battista said with a laugh. "Both were team captains in their day. They were terrific student-athletes, they were good teammates, and they got involved. We're pretty proud of both of them."