COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gavin McKenna is widely considered to be the likely first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in June. Hockey fans in Columbus will get a chance to see the next potential NHL star live and in person on Thursday and Friday.

McKenna and No. 4 Penn State will face No. 17 Ohio State on Thursday and Friday night at the Schottenstein Center. Puck drop for both games will be at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, with Thursday night’s game airing on BTN and Friday night on BTN+.

The 17-year-old McKenna played last season for Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League, which is one of three major junior hockey leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League.

But thanks to a new agreement between the CHL and NCAA that lets top players in major junior play in college, McKenna and several other top prospects from the CHL came to the U.S. to play against tougher and older competition.

McKenna has three goals and 10 points in eight games playing against players who are three or four years older than him.

In his last season in Medicine Hat, McKenna had 41 goals and 129 points in only 56 games. In the playoffs, he had nine goals and 38 points in 16 games to help the Tigers reach the Memorial Cup.

Joining him on Penn State’s roster is another player of note to Columbus hockey fans: Blue Jackets first-round pick Jackson Smith.

The 14th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Smith played for Tri-City in the WHL against McKenna before coming to Penn State and teaming up with the young phenom. Smith has had a great start to his first collegiate season with a goal and seven points in six games to lead Penn State’s defensemen in scoring.

This will be the first two Big Ten games of the season for both teams. Ohio State is coming off a trip to the NCAA Tournament last season.

Here is what to know about this upcoming two-game series. All rankings are according to USCHO.com’s poll.

Who: No. 4 Penn State (7-1) at No. 17 Ohio State (4-2).

When: Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.

Time: Both games start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus.

How to watch: BTN (Thursday); BTN+ (Friday).

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