Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft, was charged with aggravated assault and related crimes Wednesday, after allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man during an altercation in State College over the weekend, according to a statement released by the State College Police Department.
The arrest, first reported by Onward State, a Penn State student-run blog, stemmed from an incident hours after McKenna played in Penn State’s outdoor game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon. According to the local police department, at approximately 8:45 p.m. in the 100 block of South Pugh Street, he allegedly punched the male in the face twice, resulting in a fractured jaw and a lost tooth and requiring corrective surgery and his mouth being wired shut.
McKenna, 18, has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct for fighting, court records show.
The felony, which is defined as “attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference,” carries a 20-year maximum sentence in Pennsylvania. The misdemeanor carries a maximum of two years, and fines are also attached to each of the four counts.
McKenna, a freshman at Penn State, was arraigned before District Judge Casey M. McClain and released on $20,000 unsecure bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing the morning of Feb. 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa.
Penn State officials acknowledged the arrest on Wednesday evening, telling The Inquirer, “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
McKenna’s adviser, Pat Brisson, was not immediately available for comment.
Hours before the alleged assault on Saturday, McKenna scored a goal and added two assists in the No. 6 Nittany Lions’ 5-4 overtime loss to the No. 2 Spartans.
A native of Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna is ranked No. 1 on the NHL’s 2026 Central Scouting list among North American skaters.
After a new rule was passed granting Canadian Hockey League players NCAA eligibility this season, McKenna left the CHL this summer to play college hockey. The freshman, who is one of the biggest recruits to ever play college hockey and one of the faces of the changing landscape of the sport, has 11 goals and 32 points in 24 games this season.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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