Gavin McKenna celebrating a goal with his teammates, via @PennStateMHKY on X.
Gavin McKenna, a Penn State forward and a top prospect for the 2026 NHL draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault by state police.
The 18-year-old is from Whitehorse, Yukon and is facing a total of four charges, including a misdemeanor assault charge and summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct for an alleged role in an altercation that resulted in one individual needing corrective surgery according to police.
The police report alleges that McKenna struck a 21-year-old man in the face during the altercation, with the individual suffering facial injuries that required survey. McKenna was released on a $20,000 unsecured bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 11.
The maximum penalty for first-degree felony aggravated assault in Pennsylvania is 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
The Canadian has been playing for the Nittany Lions, who currently leads the men’s hockey team in scoring with 32 points in 24 games. He snatched a record-setting NIL (name, image likeness) deal after heading to play in the states, which came after three years of play in the WHL, winning the championship with the Medicine Hat Tigers last season. McKenna scored an impressive 129 points in 56 games in his final season in the WHL.
What this allegation means towards McKenna’s NHL hopes remain unclear.