Gavin McKenna, Projected No. 1 NHL Draft Pick, Charged With Felony Assault
By Reporter yy Posted February 5, 2026 9:51 am EST
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Gavin McKenna, the Penn State freshman phenom widely projected to be the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault following a violent altercation in downtown State College late Saturday night.
The 18-year-old forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, was arraigned Wednesday evening on charges that include one count of felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment. He was released on $20,000 unsecured bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by the State College Police Department, the incident occurred on January 31 in the 100 block of South Pugh Street, hours after the Nittany Lions hosted Michigan State in a historic outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
Police allege that McKenna struck a 21-year-old male in the face twice during a confrontation, causing severe injuries. The victim sustained multiple facial fractures, including a broken jaw that required surgery and had to be wired shut. The affidavit states the victim also lost a tooth and “could hardly speak” when officers interviewed him at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
The Incident Details
Court documents indicate that police responded to the medical center late Saturday night to speak with the victim. Witnesses reported that the altercation began around 8:45 p.m. outside Doggie’s Pub, a popular downtown establishment where McKenna and teammates had reportedly gathered with friends and family following the team’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Spartans.
According to the criminal complaint, witnesses stated there was an “exchange of words” between McKenna’s group and the victim’s group. The argument escalated physically, with McKenna allegedly punching the victim twice in the face. Street surveillance cameras reportedly captured the incident, corroborating the witness accounts of the punches.
The specific nature of the verbal exchange has not been detailed in the public court documents.
Legal and Athletic Consequences
The charge of aggravated assault is a first-degree felony in Pennsylvania, defined as an attempt to cause serious bodily injury or causing injury with extreme indifference to the value of human life. If convicted on the felony count alone, McKenna could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, though sentencing guidelines often result in lesser penalties for first-time offenders.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 11 at 8:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Casey M. McClain.
Penn State Athletics issued a brief statement Wednesday evening acknowledging the situation.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” a spokesperson for the athletic department said.
The NHL also acknowledged the reports. “We are aware of the situation involving Gavin McKenna,” a league spokesperson told ESPN. “As he is not currently under contract with an NHL club, we will have no further comment at this time.”
As of Thursday morning, McKenna’s status with the hockey team remains unclear. Penn State has not officially suspended him, but university policy generally allows for interim suspensions regarding student conduct violations involving felony charges.
A Historic Season in Jeopardy
The arrest casts a dark shadow over what had been a celebrated arrival for McKenna in the NCAA.
Regarded as a “generational talent,” McKenna made headlines last summer when he committed to Penn State, taking advantage of a landmark NCAA rule change that took effect for the 2025-26 season. The new rule allowed players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to maintain NCAA eligibility, opening the door for major junior stars to compete in U.S. college hockey.
McKenna had previously dominated the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he was named the CHL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and the CHL Player of the Year in 2025. In his final season with Medicine Hat, he recorded an astonishing 129 points in 56 games.
His transition to college hockey has been seamless on the ice. Through 24 games this season with the Nittany Lions, McKenna has posted 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points, ranking 10th nationally in points per game. He scored a goal in the second period of Saturday’s outdoor game against Michigan State, an event attended by over 74,000 fans—the largest crowd in college hockey history.
Scouts have universally praised McKenna’s vision, skating, and playmaking ability, drawing comparisons to NHL superstars like Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes. He has held the consensus No. 1 ranking for the 2026 draft for over two years.
Impact on Draft Stock
The charges introduce significant uncertainty regarding McKenna’s professional future. While NHL teams have historically drafted players with legal issues, a felony assault charge involving severe bodily injury is a substantial red flag that could impact his draft position.
“This is a massive disruption,” said one NHL scout who requested anonymity. “Talent-wise, he is undeniable. He is the clear number one. But teams invest millions of dollars and their franchise’s reputation in a first overall pick. They will need to know exactly what happened that night, and even then, there will be hesitation.”
The incident recalls past legal troubles involving high-profile prospects, though the severity of the alleged injuries in this case stands out. The timeline of the legal process will be critical; with the draft set for June in Las Vegas, a prolonged legal battle could leave teams in the dark about his availability and character.
What Comes Next
McKenna has retained legal counsel, though no attorney was listed on the initial court docket. He remains free on unsecured bail, meaning he did not have to pay cash upfront but is liable for the $20,000 if he fails to appear for court proceedings.
The preliminary hearing on February 11 will be the next pivotal moment. At that hearing, prosecutors must present enough evidence to convince the judge that a crime was committed and that McKenna was likely the one who committed it. Often, defense attorneys use this stage to challenge the evidence or argue for a reduction in charges.
For Penn State, the situation presents a delicate crisis. The university aggressively recruited McKenna, securing his commitment with a significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package reportedly worth upwards of $700,000. The hockey program, which has only competed at the Division I level since 2012, viewed McKenna as a transformative figure who could elevate the team to national championship contention.
Instead, the program now faces the loss of its star player and a public relations firestorm.
The victim remains in recovery. Friends of the victim told police that the group was merely walking downtown when the confrontation occurred, claiming they recognized McKenna as a hockey player before the assault took place.
As the legal process unfolds, the hockey world will be watching closely to see if the career of its brightest young star has been irrevocably derailed before it truly began.
