Gavin McKenna charged with assault: Penn State star, possible NHL No. 1 pick facing felony
Gavin McKenna, a star forward on the Penn State hockey team who is widely considered the top prospect in the 2026 NHL draft, is facing a felony charge following an alleged incident at a bar in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night, Onward State reports.
According to a court filing, McKenna is awaiting a preliminary hearing after being charged with aggravated assault and misdemeanor simple assault, as well as summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct. The Felony I charge is defined as “attempting to cause serious bodily injury or causing injury with extreme indifference.”
According to Onward State, McKenna and other members of the Penn State hockey team met at Doggie’s Pub with their friends and family after Saturday’s game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium, before the alleged assault occurred. McKenna is accused of assaulting an individual, who allegedly suffered a broken jaw during the incident.
Penn State, in a statement, said it was aware of the accusations.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment,” the statement said.
McKenna, an 18-year-old freshman from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, has 32 points – 11 goals and 21 assists – in 24 games this season for the Nittany Lions. McKenna, touted before his arrival at Penn State as a potential generational prospectscored a goal and had two assists on Saturday.
A change to NCAA rules allowed junior hockey players from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League to play Division I hockey. In the past, junior hockey players were considered professionals and therefore not allowed to play in the NCAA, but this change allowed a prospect of McKenna’s caliber to go through the college recruiting process in the United States.
At the age of 17, McKenna had a sensational season for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. He had 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games while producing 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 playoff games as Medicine Hat won the WHL championship. McKenna, who had a 54-game point streak, ranked second in the WHL in points and fifth in goals while leading the league in assists.
