Josh Fleming is quickly becoming a name to know in college hockey circles - and for good reason. The freshman goaltender out of Montreal just added another accolade to his growing résumé, earning Co-Rookie of the Month honors from the Hockey Commissioners Association for his stellar play in January. If you’ve been following Penn State’s season, you’ve seen it firsthand: this kid is the real deal.
Fleming was rock-solid between the pipes all month long, helping the Nittany Lions to a 7-3-0 record while making five starts and picking up three wins, including his second shutout of the season. But it’s not just the wins - it’s how he’s getting them.
Fleming posted a .952 save percentage in January, tops in the Big Ten and among the best in the nation. His 1.62 goals-against average over that stretch also put him in elite company nationally.
This isn’t just a hot streak - it’s part of a larger trend. Fleming has been one of the most consistent netminders in the country this season.
Through 12 starts, he holds an 8-4-0 record with two shutouts, a .938 save percentage (best in the nation), and a 2.02 goals-against average that ranks third in the Big Ten and tied for eighth nationally. For a freshman adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game, those numbers are eye-popping.
And the recognition goes beyond just monthly awards. Fleming’s breakout has earned him a spot on the Mike Richter Award Watch List - given to the nation’s top goaltender - and he’s also in the mix for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s most prestigious individual honor. That’s rare air for any player, let alone a first-year goalie.
He’s not the only Nittany Lion getting national love this season, either. Fleming joins a growing list of Penn State standouts earning recognition.
Freshman forward Gavin McKenna took home Rookie of the Month honors back in October, and sophomore JJ Wiebusch was named Co-Forward of the Month that same month. It’s a sign of a program that’s not just producing talent - it’s developing stars.
But Fleming’s emergence might be the most impactful of them all. In a sport where goaltending can make or break a season, Penn State has found its anchor.
Calm, composed, and technically sharp, Fleming plays with a maturity well beyond his years. Whether he’s tracking pucks through traffic or making key stops late in games, he’s giving his team a chance to win every night.
If January was any indication, Josh Fleming isn’t just one of the top freshmen in the country - he’s already playing like one of the best goaltenders, period. And with the postseason looming, that could be a game-changer for Penn State.