Top NHL Draft Prospect Gavin McKenna Faces Felony Assault Charges
Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, the consensus first overall pick in this June\'s NHL draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault and other counts, according to Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court documents. The 18-year-old Canadian faces serious legal consequences following an alleged altercation in State College last month.
McKenna was charged with first-degree felony aggravated assault, which is defined as attempting to cause serious bodily injury or causing injury with extreme indifference. Additional charges include misdemeanor simple assault and two summary counts of disorderly conduct for harassment and engaging in a fight.
The maximum penalty for first-degree felony aggravated assault in Pennsylvania is 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. McKenna was arraigned on the charges and released on $20,000 bail.
According to the State College Police Department, McKenna\'s charges stem from an altercation that occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Jan. 31. Police said McKenna allegedly struck a 21-year-old male in the face, resulting in facial injuries that required surgery.
A preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for Feb. 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The legal proceedings will determine whether the case advances to trial.
The alleged incidents happened on the same day that an NCAA outdoor hockey game at Penn State\'s Beaver Stadium drew 74,575 fans. The Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State 5-4 in overtime. McKenna recorded a goal and two assists in that contest.
McKenna has 32 points with 11 goals and 21 assists in 24 games with Penn State this season. NHL Central Scouting ranks him first among all North American skaters heading into the draft.
The NHL told ESPN it is aware of the charges against McKenna but offered no comment, as he is not currently a player in the league. Penn State issued a statement acknowledging awareness 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,\" the statement said.
McKenna stunned the hockey world last year by opting to leave Canadian junior hockey for Penn State\'s men\'s hockey program. In 2024, the NCAA ruled that Canadian junior players were now eligible to play on Division I teams, ending a decades-old policy.
McKenna was one of the first Canadian junior players to make the jump to the NCAA. His NIL money for attending Penn State is in the ballpark of $700,000, a source told ESPN at the time.
The charges cast uncertainty over McKenna\'s draft status and future in professional hockey. Teams evaluating him for June\'s draft will now consider these legal matters alongside his on-ice performance.