A top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft is facing multiple criminal charges following an alleged altercation in Pennsylvania.
Gavin McKenna, 18, has been charged with felony aggravated assault along with several additional offences, according to court records filed in State College, Pa.
The criminal complaint, filed Wednesday by State College Police, lists the incident date as Jan. 31. McKenna is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. The case is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing, with no disposition entered.
Court records show the aggravated assault charge is graded as a first-degree felony under Pennsylvania law. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, depending on the outcome of the case.
McKenna is a freshman at Penn State Nittany Lions, where he has recorded 11 goals and 21 assists in 24 games this season.
He is currently ranked No. 1 among North American skaters for the 2026 NHL Draft according to NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.
In an email statement to The Canadian Press, Penn State associate director of strategic communications John Hanna said the university is aware of the charges.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” Hanna said.
McKenna, who is from Whitehorse, Yukon, spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers before committing to Penn State.
He has also represented Canada twice at the world junior hockey championship. McKenna helped Canada win bronze last month in Minneapolis–St. Paul and finished second in tournament scoring with 14 points in seven games.
According to the criminal docket, the case is assigned to Magisterial District Judge Casey McClain in State College Borough, Centre County. A preliminary hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
All charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
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