Gavin McKenna, potential No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft, reportedly facing assault charges following off-ice altercation
- - Gavin McKenna, potential No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft, reportedly facing assault charges following off-ice altercation
Sean Leahy February 5, 2026 at 2:28 AM
1
Gavin McKenna, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, plus summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment following an altercation Saturday, according to Onward State.
The 18-year-old Penn State freshman forward was reportedly at a downtown State College, Pennsylvania, bar with the team and friends and family following the Nittany Lions' outdoor game at Beaver Stadium against Michigan State. It's unknown how the altercation began, but McKenna reportedly broke the jaw of an unidentified individual.
According to the Pennsylvania court docket, McKenna is awaiting a preliminary hearing on Feb. 11 at Centre County Courthouse. The State College Police Department confirmed the charges in a statement released Wednesday night, adding that McKenna was released on $20,000 bail.
The Penn State athletic department released the following statement to Onward State a few hours after the arrest was reported:
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
In July, McKenna announced that he would be attending Penn State following three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, one of three leagues that makes up the Canadian Hockey League. The move was made possible after the NCAA's ruling that allowed CHL players to play collegiately.
Through 24 games this season, McKenna has 11 goals and 32 points for the Nittany Lions, who are in third place in the Big Ten. He was recently ranked as the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of June's NHL draft.
Source: “AOL Sports”
