Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, will be in Columbus for games Oct. 30th and 31st.

McKenna is a freshman forward for Penn State (7-1-0). He stands 5-foot-11, 170 pounds and turns 18 on Dec. 20, making him the fourth youngest player in men’s college hockey, according to the NHL’s website. 

Despite his youth, he has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) through eight games this season.

He and his Nittany Lions teammates will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (4-2-0) in a two-game series at Value City Arena with both games starting at 6:30 p.m.

Penn State’s roster also features Jackson Smith. The defenseman was drafted 14th overall by the Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He has a goal and six assists, and his plus/minus rating is +3.