Gavin McKenna — the projected No. 1 decide within the 2026 NHL Draft — has dedicated to Penn State for the 2025-26 season. McKenna introduced his choice to swimsuit up for the Nittany Lions on “SportsCenter” on Tuesday night.
McKenna is the most important prospect to ever decide to Penn State’s hockey program. Main as much as his choice, it was extensively identified McKenna could be taking his abilities to the collegiate stage.
“It was a brilliant powerful choice,” McKenna mentioned. “Clearly, there have been numerous nice choices on the market. However, I feel me, my household and everybody who’s in my circle, determined the most effective spot for me subsequent yr shall be Penn State College. I feel Penn State is a superb spot for me. I obtained to get a style of what it is like there and I obtained to convey alongside my dad. We each thought it was an awesome spot for me.”
Starting Aug. 1, 2025, junior hockey gamers from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League are permitted to play NCAA hockey following a landmark rule change. Previously, junior hockey gamers had been thought-about professionals and subsequently weren’t allowed to play within the NCAA.
In line with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, McKenna had beforehand visited with Michigan, Michigan State and Denver along with Penn State. The Spartans had been a finalist in McKenna’s recruitment earlier than shedding out to the Nittany Lions.
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McKenna put collectively a sensational season for the Medication Hat Tigers within the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. The 17-year-old registered 129 factors (41 objectives, 88 assists) in 56 video games, whereas additionally producing 38 factors (9 objectives, 29 assists) in 16 playoff video games as Medication Hat gained the WHL Championship.
The star winger tallied 2.304 points-per-game, the third-highest mark for a 17-year-old in league historical past behind solely Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard (2022-23) and Rob Brown (1985-86). McKenna finishes his WHL profession with 244 factors (79 objectives, 165 assists) in 133 video games.
McKenna ranked second within the WHL in factors (129) and fifth in objectives (41), whereas main the league in assists (88). The Northern Canada product additionally ranked fifth in power-play assists (28) and was tied for third in shorthanded objectives (4). He additionally recorded a 54-game level streak that began within the common season and lasted by way of the playoffs.
He’s being labeled as a generational expertise who will possible make the soar to the NHL stage immediately. McKenna’s spectacular season outperformed Connor McDavid’s age-17 season during which the Edmonton Oilers star tallied 99 factors (28 objectives, 71 assists) for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
McKenna will be a part of a Penn State hockey program that was categorised as a membership crew previous to the 2012-13 season. Nevertheless, the Nittany Lions have loved fairly an increase during the last decade. Penn State gathered a 22-14-4 document in 2024-25 and reached its first Frozen 4.
The Nittany Lions proceed to construct off of that historic season by securing commitments from Columbus Blue Jackets first-round decide Jackson Smith in addition to Luke Misa, the brother of San Jose Sharks first-round decide Michael Misa. With McKenna becoming a member of the fold subsequent season, Penn State will possible be a pressure as soon as once more within the Large Ten and will make one other run on the Frozen 4.
