Top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna charged with felony aggravated assault

Gavin McKenna, a Penn State hockey forward and one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, is facing a felony assault charge for allegedly hitting a man in the face in an altercation that resulted in the man needing corrective surgery, police say.

McKenna, who turned 18 on Dec. 20, was charged with felony aggravated assault on Wednesday in State College, Pa., according to court documents and a statement from the State College Police Department. The native of Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, is also facing a misdemeanor assault charge and summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct for his role in the alleged incident that occurred Saturday.

In a written statement provided to The Athletic, John Hanna, Penn State athletics’ associate director of strategic communications, said: “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”

The charges were first reported by Onward State, a Penn State student publication.





https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7022474/2026/02/04/gavin-mckenna-felony-charges-arrested-penn-state-hockey/