Gavin McKenna reminded the world why he’s the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in the late February series against Ohio State. On that Friday, McKenna showed off his playmaking skills by racking up seven assists and a goal on the night, a Penn State single-game record.
The following day, when the game went to overtime, McKenna took over. He executed a stunning toe-drag move to get past the defenseman before finding the back of the net on a tight-angle wrist shot to send the Buckeyes packing.
Forward Gavin McKenna (72) scores an overtime goal at the Penn State men’s hockey game against Ohio State in Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes in overtime 5-4.
Megan Miller
The young sensation from Whitehorse, Yukon, came to Penn State with the expectations of bringing the Nittany Lions back to the Frozen Four and potentially winning a national championship. Although he started the season with three points in two games against Arizona State, his effectiveness often fluctuated, leaving many in doubt of his ability to transfer his skills to a more physical game.
While the season didn’t pan out in the way that Penn State wanted it to, McKenna still made his mark on the program. He was named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award for the nation’s top player, was named the Big Ten Scoring Champion with 38 points in 24 conference games and the program’s first Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
McKenna built momentum all the way through his first, and potentially only, collegiate season. He enters the NHL draft with more experience against older, larger players, and is expected to make an immediate impact as a generational talent.
“My goal is to play in the NHL, and if my team wants me to sign, then that’s my goal, whether that happens next year or not,” McKenna said.
Bio & metrics
Hometown: Whitehorse, Yukon
DOB: 12/20/2007
Height: 5-foot-11
Shot: Left
Career statistics
Games played: 35
Goals: 15
Assists: 36
Points: 51
Shot percentage: .099
+/-: -7
Penalty mins: 36
Forward Gavin McKenna (72) skates during the Penn State men’s hockey game against Minnesota in Pegula Ice Arena on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Golden Gophers 3-0.
Matt Cropp
Awards
IIHF World U18 Championship gold medalist (2024)
Hobey Baker Award Top-10 Finalist
AHCA West Second Team All-American
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Big Ten Scoring Champion
All-Big Ten Second Team
All-Big Ten Freshman Team
CHL David Branch Player of the Year (2024-25)
WHL Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (2024-25)
CHL Rookie of the Year (2023-24)
Ed Chynoweth Cup (WHL) Champion (2024-25)
Projections
Projected round drafted: No. 1 overall pick
Player comparison: Patrick Kane
Scouting report
The hockey world knew what McKenna would bring to college and the NHL from his time with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. He’s a tactical playmaker that focuses on controlling the puck with superior stickhandling skills and sharp edgework. He’s used it effectively throughout his career to open doors for a well-timed shot or perfectly-placed pass into space.
The “Wizard of Whitehorse” systematically breaks down defenses one layer at a time, but not by himself. Every pass that he makes takes one defender out of the equation until he’s able to maneuver himself into position to test the goaltender.
Speaking of his shot — it’s lethal. He has a deceivingly fast release, and when the shot comes, he pulls it closer to his body to get the goalie moving laterally before pinpointing the corners of the net for the best chance to score.
McKenna displays great vision in finding open players, even when he’s in a prime scoring position himself. There have been times when he’s received a pass in the middle of the circle, but finds an open teammate streaking deeper in the slot in front of the crease. McKenna’s game isn’t just about scoring goals, it’s creating opportunities and spreading the wealth.
Penn State forward Gavin Mckenna (72) fights Minnesota forward Jimmy Clark (23) for the puck during the men’s hockey game at Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Golden Gophers 5-2.
Mack Leach
He sees the game like a chess match, always thinking two steps ahead while working himself into position to be most effective. He’s patient and tends to slow down the pace of play while looking for options, but isn’t afraid to kickstart the engines to catch teams off guard.
One area of his game that may be seen as lacking is his physicality and size. When bigger defenders lay the body on him, McKenna is usually knocked out of the play and turns the puck over. He supplements this by making use of his edgework and stickhandling, but that can only get him so far, especially when contact is unavoidable.
However, this story has happened time and time again, notably with Jack Hughes, an undersized forward who had an adjustment period early in his career due to his lack of size compared to the league-average defender. That being said, Hughes is now among the NHL’s elite, so who’s to say that McKenna can’t reach those heights.
Best team fit: Vancouver Canucks
Toronto’s No. 1 overall pick aside, McKenna’s best team fit is the Vancouver Canucks. When looking at the Canucks’ roster, their top wingers being Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser, the team doesn’t have a standout franchise player that’s producing at a point per game level.
Vancouver’s top center, Elias Pettersson, would be a solid fit as McKenna’s debut linemate and that connection could be the key to unlocking the first line’s skill ceiling. With McKenna’s vision and creativity, combined with Pettersson being one of the best shooters in the NHL, Vancouver would be able to build the team around those two players.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the Canucks have the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, and are going to likely miss out on the former Nittany Lion. A more probable pick for Vancouver would be Caleb Malhotra, a center who’s committed to play for Boston University, who would fill the second line center role behind Petterson or make the switch to the wing.
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