Tim O'Brien sat in the bleachers of the Greenberg Ice Pavilion just lounging in a pair of board shorts and flip-flops.

His demeanor in the stands was a sharp contrast from the ice below, where some of his future teammates were thrashing around trying to earn a spot on the Penn State ACHA Division I Icers.

Despite not participating in any of the Icers' tryouts because he was resting an injury, O'Brien -- the team's leading scorer last season -- was one of the 30 players who made the final cut Monday when the Icers named their roster.

"We got a couple of crucial roles we have to fill from last season, losing 12 guys and half our defensive back end of the team," O'Brien said. "Just from watching these tryouts, I don't know what the coaches think, I'm sure it's different from what I think. But I think we're gonna be pretty good and I don't think we're gonna lose a beat."

O'Brien will not be alone as a returning Icer. Penn State coach Scott Balboni said all the Icers that returned made the final roster.

That includes goaltender Teddy Hume, who participated in Monday's scrimmage after missing last Thursday's scrimmage.

"We got a lot bigger this year, we got a lot more physical this year than we've been in the past," Balboni said, "which is something I've obviously strived to have us be a bigger, stronger team. So the core nucleus we were very happy with even coming into [Monday]."

It also includes forwards Ryan Paradis, Marek Polidor and Chris Pronchik, all of whom Balboni expects to take on bigger roles this season.

The sophomore Paradis broke through with 16 goals in his rookie year, while Balboni was impressed with how the junior Polidor played last year when he got a chance.

With all of the returning Icers making the roster, the biggest surprise out of camp might have been who made the team.

The loss of six defensemen from last year's squad left a lot of spots on the Penn State blueline for recruits and younger players.

Brian Dolan took full advantage of the competition and ended up on the final list, making the team as a walk-on.

"We didn't even know who he was before camp started," Balboni said. "He went and came out and made the team. That's always a credit to them when they do that."

Forward Matt Kirstein skated with the younger guys a little bit before leaving the scrimmage Thursday, and what impressed him the most was the general work ethic among the new members.

"Guys play different roles," Kirstein said. "Some guys are really skilled, some guys are more physical. So I think there's a good mix of guys out there, and I like the way a lot of the guys are playing."

Notes

Kirstein did not participate in Monday's scrimmage after he suffered an injury, which he called a groin pull. Kirstein said he would be ready when practice starts Wednesday, but didn't want it to become an injury that would bother him all season.

Sophomore forward Taylor Cera left Monday's scrimmage after he took a big bodycheck early on and later blocked a shot. Balboni called it a hip pointer and also said there was no need for him to push it further.