Gavin McKenna, Penn State star and the consensus No. 1 overall of the 2026 NHL Draft, was charged with felony aggravated assault following an alleged bar altercation last weekend, as first reported by Jack Anderson-Jussen of Onward State, a Penn State student publication.
McKenna was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and two summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment by State College Police, according to Pennsylvania court documents.
In Pennsylvania, a first-degree felony conviction can result in up to 20 years in prison or up to $25,000 in fines.
Anderson-Jussen reported that the Penn State men’s hockey team had been at a bar following their 5-4 loss to Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.
According to a statement from the State College Police Department, the altercation took place in the 100 block of South Pugh Street, in the Borough of State College, on Jan. 31, around 8:45 p.m.
McKenna is alleged to have struck a 21-year-old man in the face during the altercation, resulting in facial injuries requiring corrective surgery, police say.
McKenna has been arraigned on the charges and was released on $20,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, PA.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” Penn State men’s hockey said in a statement to ESPN.
McKenna, 18, is considered one of the NHL’s top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft and a contender for the first overall pick. The New York Rangers are currently ranked 30th out of the NHL’s 32 teams and have an 11.8% chance of landing the first pick, according to Tankathon.
He had committed to Penn State following three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. At the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which concluded in early January, McKenna totalled four goals and 14 points as Canada took home the bronze medal.
In 24 games for Penn State this season, McKenna has 11 goals and 32 points — tied for the team lead.
