Penn State hockey’s historic recruiting run in 2025 has reached a groundbreaking crescendo. Gavin McKenna, the presumptive No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, has committed to Penn State:
The projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, made things official on SportsCenter: he is headed to Penn State for the 2025-26 season. pic.twitter.com/cAMnjdY6mB
— Black Shoe Diaries (@BSDtweet) July 8, 2025
McKenna had narrowed down his choices to Penn State and Michigan State by late spring, but the Nittany Lions have gotten the call, thanks in part to a reportedly massive NIL offer.
Penn State’s monetary offer was in the neighborhood of 700K. Michigan State’s was in 200-300K range per Mike. The package McKenna will receive from Penn State will be the richest in college hockey history. #HockeyValley https://t.co/zEK3YO2qVg
— Hockey Valley Horizons (@HVHorizonsPSU) July 8, 2025
As the alternate captain for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, McKenna recorded 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 games in 2024-25. In 2023-24, he had 34 goals and 63 assists in 61 games. He won CHL Player of the Year in 2025 and is the third-youngest player to win the award, behind John Tavares (2006-07) and Sidney Crosby (2004-05).
Make no mistake, McKenna may be the best prospect Penn State has had in any sport. He has been widely regarded as a generational talent and the best NHL Draft prospect since Connor McDavid. The Nittany Lions are now a betting favorite to win the national championship in 2026.
Penn State’s forward group returns 84% of its goal scoring from last season and adds Gavin McKenna, Shea Van Olm, Luke Misa, and Lev Katzin from recruiting. This lineup will be a nightmare for opponents to defend.