Gavin McKenna, a star ahead for the Penn State hockey workforce who’s extensively thought of the highest prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, is going through a felony cost following an alleged incident at a bar in State Faculty, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night time, Onward State experiences.
Based on a court docket submitting, McKenna is awaiting a preliminary listening to after being charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor easy assault, in addition to abstract counts of harassment and disorderly conduct. The Felony I cost is outlined as “makes an attempt to trigger severe bodily damage or causes damage with excessive indifference.”
Based on Onward State, McKenna and different members of Penn State’s hockey workforce met at Doggie’s Pub with family and friends after Saturday’s recreation towards Michigan State at Beaver Stadium earlier than the alleged assault occurred. McKenna is accused of assaulting a person, who reportedly suffered a damaged jaw within the incident.
Penn State, in a press release, stated it’s conscious of the fees.
“We’re conscious that prices have been filed; nonetheless, as that is an ongoing authorized matter, we won’t have any additional remark,” the assertion stated.
McKenna, an 18-year-old freshman from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, has 32 factors — 11 objectives and 21 assists — in 24 video games this season for the Nittany Lions. McKenna, touted earlier than his arrival at Penn State as a possible generational prospect, had a purpose and had two assists on Saturday.
An NCAA rule change allowed junior hockey gamers from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League to play Division I hockey. Previously, junior hockey gamers had been thought of professionals and due to this fact weren’t allowed to play within the NCAA, however the change allowed a prospect of McKenna’s caliber to undergo the faculty recruiting course of within the U.S.
As a 17-year-old, McKenna put collectively a sensational season for the Medication Hat Tigers within the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. He posted 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 received the WHL Championship. McKenna, who recorded a 54-game level streak, ranked second within the WHL in factors and fifth in objectives whereas main the league in assists.
