Penn State Hockey Standout Gavin McKenna Charged With Assault

Penn State hockey player Gavin McKenna has been charged with felony aggravated assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, and simple assault.

On Jan. 31, McKenna reportedly assaulted a 21-year-old man outside of a bar after the Michigan State–Penn State outdoor game at Beaver Stadium earlier that day. Penn State’s student news site, Onward State, first reported that McKenna allegedly broke the individual’s jaw during the incident. A police release said the man’s injuries require corrective surgery.

The simple assault charge carries a maximum punishment of two years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. In Pennsylvania, the maximum punishment for a first-degree felony is up to 20 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. If convicted, Yukon-native McKenna could also face deportation under U.S. immigration law.

McKenna was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bail, meaning he did not pay bail but signed an agreement to pay that amount if he fails to appear in court or otherwise violates the conditions of his release.

“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” John Hanna, the associate director for communications for Penn State men’s hockey, told Front Office Sports. 

McKenna, 18, is a potential first-overall draft pick in the 2026 NHL draft in June. The Canadian forward left the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers in June 2025 to play for Penn State. 

As the highest-profile junior prospect, McKenna sent shock waves through the hockey landscape when he defected from the WHL to college. The 2025–26 NCAA season is the first in which players from the Canadian Hockey League, of which the WHL is a member league, could play for college teams. Previously, CHL athletes had been considered pros, but an antitrust lawsuit prompted the NCAA to change its eligibility rules in November 2024. It opened the opportunity for CHL players to make the jump to top Division I programs—and subsequently earn NIL dollars.

McKenna’s commitment to Hockey Valley was reported in June to include a name, image, and likeness deal in the ballpark of $700,000, though the number hasn’t been confirmed. As a freshman, McKenna has 32 points in 24 games with the Nittany Lions, who are ranked sixth in the country. Saturday’s outdoor game at Beaver Stadium before the alleged incident commanded an attendance of 74,575—the second-largest crowd for an outdoor college hockey game.

McKenna’s status with the team, including any suspensions, is currently unknown. Penn State, which sits at 18–4 and third in the Big Ten, has eight regular-season games remaining.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11. McKenna did not request a public defender. 

The Big Ten did not respond to requests for comment.