Future NHL No.1 Pick McKenna Charged with Assault
The meteoric rise of Gavin McKenna's hockey career has taken a serious legal turn. The player projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft is accused of participating in a fight.
Apr 29, 2026 0
Gavin McKenna playing for Penn State men«s hockey during a game earlier this season.
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Gavin McKenna, a rising hockey star from Penn State University and the expected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, is facing legal action. Police allege he was involved in a late-night scuffle near campus last weekend.
The Penn State men«s hockey team played at Beaver Stadium for the first time.
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According to court documents filed Wednesday, the 18-year-old forward is charged with aggravated assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury or causing harm through extreme negligence. He also faces lesser assault charges and other misdemeanors.
The arrest occurred on Saturday—the same day the Penn State men«s hockey team played its first game at Beaver Stadium. McKenna scored a goal in the match, which his team lost 5-4 in overtime.
Details of the incident remain unclear, but media reports indicate one participant suffered a fractured jaw.
McKenna«s case is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
The player, rapidly gaining popularity in the hockey world and rising in draft rankings, is now in the spotlight both on and off the ice. The intense focus of NHL scouts may be divided between his athletic achievements and the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The story is developing.
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