Men's Hockey Earns Commitment From Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKennaMen's Hockey Earns Commitment From Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna

Men's Hockey Earns Commitment From Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna

The reigning WHL and CHL Player of the Year becomes the highest rated recruit to choose NCAA hockey, set to join the Nittany Lions this fall.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Head Coach Guy Gadowsky and the Penn State hockey team secured a big piece to its 2025-26 roster on Tuesday evening as top NHL prospect and consensus No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, Gavin McKenna, announced his commitment to the university live on ESPN’s Sportscenter.

“It was a super tough decision, obviously there’s a lot of great options out there, but I think me, my family and everyone who is a part of my circle we all decided that the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University,” exclaimed McKenna. “[Going the NCAA route] will make the jump [to the NHL] easier. Going against older, heavier, stronger guys, it really prepares you and even in the locker room being around more mature guys I think that will benefit me a lot…I think going to college and being in such a great conference it will really challenge me and prepare me [for the next step].”

“He’s one of the most exciting young talents in the game and reflects the level of student-athletes we’re bringing to Penn State across all sports. His commitment is a testament to the national reputation Guy Gadowsky and his staff have built, and we know he’ll thrive in the culture of excellence that surrounds our program."

Dr. Pat KraftVice President of Intercollegiate Athletics

McKenna has been highly touted from a young age and is one of the most decorated Canadian hockey stars of this generation. The Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada native spent the last two full seasons with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League leading the Tigers to the WHL Championship this past season and a berth in the Memorial Cup Finals.

The 6-foot, 170-pound, left winger was named the WHL and CHL Player of the Year after registering an eye-popping 173 points in 76 games split between the regular-season, playoffs and Memorial Cup. He became the third-youngest CHL Player of the Year behind NHL greats Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.

“Gavin is a special player and a terrific young man. Our staff could not have been more impressed with how he presented himself on his visit,” mentioned Gadowsky. “His arrival to Hockey Valley is extremely significant not only to our hockey program, but to Penn State athletics and to college hockey as a whole. We are absolutely thrilled and excited to witness his contributions on the ice, to our locker room, and to the Penn State community. This is a great day to be a Nittany Lion!”

McKenna finished second in the WHL with 129 points during the regular season while his 88 assists paced the league and his 41 goals were good for fifth. He finished the regular season with points in 40-straight games before adding points in his first 14 playoff games. The 54-game point streak is a modern CHL record dating back to 2000.

During his first full season in the WHL in 2023-24 he was named both the WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year posting 97 points in 61 games on 34 goals and 63 assists before adding two goals and four assists for six points in five playoff games.

"You saw what Penn State did this year, making it to the Frozen Four, they've come a long way as a program and next year the goal is to win a championship with them."

Gavin McKenna

McKenna has also had extreme success for his country helping Team Canada to the gold medal at the 2024 U18 World Championships setting a Canadian record for points in a single U18 tournament with 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in seven games. His standout performance included a hat-trick in a 6-4 victory over Team USA in the gold medal game. McKenna also recently donned the Maple Leaf as the youngest member of Team Canada on the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship roster scoring one goal in five games.

“We are so thrilled to have Gavin join our Hockey Valley family and become part of a special group of young men who represent everything great about Penn State. This team is built on character, work ethic and pride in wearing the Blue & White, and Gavin is a perfect fit,” stated Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Pat Kraft. “He’s one of the most exciting young talents in the game and reflects the level of student-athletes we’re bringing to Penn State across all sports. His commitment is a testament to the national reputation Guy Gadowsky and his staff have built, and we know he’ll thrive in the culture of excellence that surrounds our program. We can’t wait to see him compete alongside this incredible group and help push our program to even greater heights.”

Penn State is set to open the 2025-26 season on the road in Tempe, Arizona with a nonconference series against Arizona State on October 3-4.

For more information on the 2025-26 season, visit the men's hockey ticket page at GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.