State College, Pa. — Gavin McKenna, one of the most highly regarded prospects in hockey and the projected first overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault following an alleged altercation in State College, Pennsylvania.
According to Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court records, McKenna, an 18-year-old Penn State forward from Canada, faces multiple charges, including first-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and two summary counts of disorderly conduct related to harassment and engaging in a fight. Under Pennsylvania law, a first-degree felony aggravated assault carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred around 8:45 p.m. on January 31, when police say McKenna allegedly struck a 21-year-old man in the face during an altercation. Authorities stated that the victim sustained facial injuries severe enough to require surgery.
McKenna was arraigned and later released on $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement has not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the alleged confrontation.
The incident reportedly occurred on the same day as Penn State’s highly attended outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium, which drew 74,575 fans. Despite Penn State’s 5–4 overtime loss to Michigan State, McKenna delivered a standout performance, recording one goal and two assists. This season, he has posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 24 games, further cementing his status as one of the top young players in the sport.
NHL Central Scouting currently ranks McKenna as the No. 1 North American skater, making him the consensus favorite to be selected first overall in June’s NHL Draft. The NHL confirmed it is aware of the charges but declined to comment, noting that McKenna is not currently a league player.
Penn State also acknowledged the situation in a brief statement, saying it is aware of the charges but would not comment further due to the ongoing legal process.
McKenna drew widespread attention last year when he made the rare move from Canadian junior hockey to the NCAA after a landmark 2024 ruling allowed Canadian junior players to compete in Division I college hockey. He was among the first to take advantage of the change, and sources previously indicated his NIL compensation at Penn State was in the range of $700,000.
As the legal proceedings move forward, McKenna’s future—both at Penn State and as a top NHL draft prospect—now faces serious uncertainty, with the case likely to draw continued scrutiny from the hockey world in the weeks ahead.
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