Thanks to this year’s rule change allowing Canadian Hockey League talent to migrate to the NCAA for the first time, perhaps the top prospect in college hockey history will play stateside in 2025. And Penn State can now boast his services, thanks to Gavin McKenna’s commitment to the Nittany Lions on Tuesday.
McKenna, 17, is a 6-foot and 170-pound winger who played the past two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. He’s the reigning CHL Player of the Year after scoring a whopping 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 games.
Penn State, after making the program’s first-ever Frozen Four this past season, has now opened up the checkbook and secured massive recruiting wins like McKenna, Luke Misa and recent first-round pick Jackson Smith for the upcoming campaign. Guy Gadowsky’s Lions are currently the betting favorite to win next season’s national title on DraftKings and ESPN Bet.
McKenna made his commitment official live on SportsCenter on Tuesday and, in speaking with ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi, revealed how Penn State’s recent momentum impacted his decision. He reportedly visited both Penn State and Michigan State before announcing his commitment.
“It was a super tough decision. Obviously, there are a lot of great options out there, but I think meeting with my family and everyone who’s part of my circle, we all decided the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University,” McKenna said on ESPN. “I think Penn State is a great spot for me. I got to get a taste of what it’s like there, and got to bring along my dad, and we both thought it was a great spot for me.”
Here’s everything McKenna — the consensus top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft — had to say in a seismic moment for both Penn State Athletics and college hockey.
ON HIS GOALS NEXT SEASON
“I think the main goal is obviously to win a championship. I think you saw what Penn State did this year, making it to the Frozen Four. They’ve come a long ways, and I think next year, when I go there, obviously that’s the goal, is to win a championship with them.”
ON WHAT THIS DAY MEANS TO HIS FAMILY
“It means a lot. Obviously, without my parents, I wouldn’t, wouldn’t be here today. The sacrifices they’ve made for me, it’s always in the back of my mind, and it’s a motivator for me to reach my goals and do it for them. Like I said, without them, I wouldn’t be here. So they’re obviously super proud of me, and they’re very supportive of all my decisions I’ve made in my career.”
ON IF PLAYING ON THE OUTDOOR RINK HIS DAD BUILT IS ONE OF HIS FONDEST MEMORIES
“Oh yeah, for sure it is. I’ve got a lot of stories out there. It’s kind of where I think my game took off, spending hours and hours out there with my dad. He spent hours building that rink, so I wanted to always repay him every single year by spending that amount of hours on it, or even more. So I had lots of fun out there with him and my sisters and mom.”
ON THE DECISION TO GO TO COLLEGE
“I think it honestly just makes the jump (to the NHL) easier, going against older, heavier, stronger guys. I think it really prepares you and, I think even in the locker room hanging around older guys and being around more mature guys, I think that’ll help me a lot in my first season. The (WHL) was a great spot, and I’m very grateful for what it did for me and my family. Obviously, I think both options are great, but I just think that going to college and being in such a great conference, it’ll really challenge me and prepare me.”
Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigerschl.ca
ON WHO HE PATTERNS HIS GAME AFTER
“Patrick Kane was my guy growing up. Just the way he played, it always kind of excited me. The way he could control the game and take over games. And the plays he makes, I think we kind of play similar styles. Smart hockey players who can slow it down and speed it up when they want. Growing up, I was a Blackhawks fan, so I always had him on the TV, and they were obviously on a dynasty there, and he was the guy that was leading the charge there. I just loved everything he did.”
ON IF HE’S AWARE OF THE HYPE SURROUNDING PENN STATE FOOTBALL IN 2025
“It’s all pretty new to me, but I got to see the facilities that they have, and I obviously hear the chatter around it. I’m looking forward to it. I think the whole Penn State University, every single program they have, is all top notch, so I’m excited to see it all.”
ON HIS ORDER THE FIRST TIME HE WENT TO THE BERKEY CREAMERY
“I think it was a peach sorbet or something like that. It was good.”
He, of course, was talking about the ultra-popular Peachy Paterno flavor.
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