Justin Poirier, a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024 NHL Draft, is transferring to Penn State from the University of Maine in 2026-27. Poirier exploded for 18 goals and 29 points in 27 games as a Maine freshman, ranking tops among coveted transfers. This is Penn State’s second key portal addition this off-season, after d-man Caeden Herrington (LAK 2025) from Vermont decided to join the Nittany Lions. Poirier fills a top-six forward spot, vacated by departures such as J.J. Wiebusch (free agent), who will join Wisconsin this fall.
Fans celebrated the move as a huge splash for coach Guy Gadowsky, while Maine faces a portal exodus of eight players including their third-leading scorer.