PUBLICATION
Sam Walker
February 10, 2026Â Â (3:55 PM)
Photo credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Gavin McKenna’s court hearing just moved to March 11, and Penn State hockey suddenly has a Big Ten Tournament-sized headache.
Penn State’s freshman star was originally set for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, February 11.
Now that date is off the board, replaced by Tuesday, March 11.
The timing matters because March 11 lines up with the first day of the Big Ten Tournament.
The case has already shifted once in a big way. Prosecutors withdrew the felony aggravated assault count after reviewing evidence.
That does not mean everything disappeared. He still faces misdemeanor simple assault, plus harassment and disorderly conduct.
For Penn State, it keeps the story alive right when the season turns from standings to survival mode.
Gavin McKenna puts Penn State Nittany Lions in a bind
If you’re a Penn State fan, this is the kind of off-ice cloud that makes every win feel tense instead of fun.
On the ice, McKenna has been a driver, posting 11-21-32 in 24 games.
He’s been a top-six engine, pushing pace and creating looks off the rush.
That’s why the calendar twist stings. Even if he plays, the distraction is real, and the availability question hangs over the room.
The other part is optics. A program chasing hardware does not want cameras following court updates instead of line combinations.
March 11 also comes with competitive pressure, because one rough night in a tournament can end everything.
The next milestone is simple: get through the upcoming games clean, keep the focus on hockey, and hope the noise does not get louder as March gets closer.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
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Confirmation involving Gavin McKenna’s court hearing and it could cause troubles
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