Felony Charge Against Top Hockey Prospect Gavin McKenna

Gavin McKenna, a promising hockey talent, has been charged with felony aggravated assault related to an arrest over the weekend at State University, as per court documents obtained by The Post.

The freshman forward for Penn State’s hockey team is also facing charges of simple assault and two summary offenses, which include harassment and disorderly conduct, arising from an incident that allegedly took place on January 31.

If convicted, McKenna—who some experts have touted as the top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft—could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence, up to 20 years, or a fine of $25,000 for the first-degree felony aggravated assault charge, according to Pennsylvania law.

Onward State, a student-run media organization, reported that the incident occurred on Saturday night. This happened while the hockey team was enjoying time at a downtown bar with friends and family following an outdoor game versus Beaver Stadium. While the exact circumstances leading to the alleged assault are unclear, reports suggest that it resulted in a broken jaw for the victim.

A representative from Penn State Athletics acknowledged the charges but indicated that the university would not be commenting further due to the ongoing legal situation.

No preliminary hearing has been set yet, but online records show that the case has been assigned to Magistrate Judge Casey McClain.

In the game against the Michigan State Spartans, which ended in a narrow 5-4 loss, McKenna scored what would be Penn State’s second goal in overtime. His jersey from the game is currently up for auction, with bids reaching $8,000 as the highest.

Currently, McKenna leads the Nittany Lions with 32 points across 24 games. Before joining Penn State, he spent three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL and has also represented Canada multiple times, notably at this year’s World Junior Hockey Championships.

As for the team’s schedule, they aren’t set to compete again until February 13.