There’s a name that’s been impossible to ignore in hockey circles for the past two years: Gavin McKenna. Whether you follow the NHL draft lottery closely or just casually keep up with hockey news, this 18-year-old Penn State forward has managed to be absolutely everywhere — on the ice, in the headlines, and lately, in the courtroom too (briefly). Let’s break down everything about the most talked-about prospect heading into the 2026 NHL Draft.
Who Is Gavin McKenna? Age, Background, and Where He’s From
Gavin McKenna is an 18-year-old Canadian ice hockey forward who was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon — one of Canada’s more remote northern territories. He wears jersey number 72 for the Penn State Nittany Lions and plays as a left wing. If you’re wondering how old Gavin McKenna is, he just turned 18 before representing Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships.
He’s a left-shot forward listed at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds — not the biggest guy on the ice, but don’t let the frame fool you. The kid plays with a motor that doesn’t quit.
One fun piece of trivia: McKenna is a cousin by marriage to Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft. So yes, there’s some generational hockey talent running in that family tree.
What Makes Gavin McKenna a Generational Prospect?
Is Gavin McKenna Really That Good?
Short answer: yes, and scouts have been saying so for years. McKenna dominated the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers, putting up 129 points in 56 games during the 2024–25 season — including 41 goals and 88 assists. He led the Tigers to the 2025 WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Finals appearance.
His point-per-game rate in the WHL was staggering. He finished that season with 173 total points across 76 games when regular season, playoffs, and Memorial Cup are combined. He also maintained a 51-game point streak before adding points in his first 14 playoff games — numbers that belong in a video game, not real life.
He became the third-youngest CHL Player of the Year in history, behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares. That’s the kind of company you don’t end up in by accident. (Source: Penn State Athletics, gopsusports.com)
Why Did Gavin McKenna Choose Penn State Hockey?
What Led McKenna to College Hockey Instead of the NHL?
This was the big decision that shook up NCAA hockey. In July 2025, McKenna announced on ESPN’s SportsCenter that he would attend Penn State University for the 2025–26 season rather than jumping straight toward the NHL.
The move was made possible by a new NCAA rule change allowing CHL players to be eligible for NCAA Division I hockey — something that had previously been prohibited. McKenna’s arrival was described as one of the most significant recruiting wins in college hockey history.
“Gavin is a special player and a terrific young man,” said Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky at the time. “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.” (Source: NHL.com)
McKenna himself chose Penn State over Michigan State, with Michigan and Denver also in consideration. The Nittany Lions, coming off their first-ever Frozen Four appearance, were clearly building something special — and landing McKenna only accelerated that.
How Did Gavin McKenna Perform at Penn State?
What Were McKenna’s Stats in His Freshman Season?
McKenna lived up to every bit of the hype at the college level. He became the first freshman in Penn State history to record 50 or more points, finishing the season with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 34 games. That stat put him tied for fifth in the entire NCAA in scoring.
He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and set nine team records during his freshman campaign. In Big Ten conference play, he led the entire league in scoring. He also set records on a team that had some talented players already in its ranks.
He also represented Canada internationally, finishing as one of the top scorers at the 2026 World Junior Championships, where he recorded 14 points (four goals, ten assists) and helped Canada win a bronze medal.
The numbers across all levels paint a clear picture: Gavin McKenna doesn’t just perform well — he tends to lead wherever he plays.
The Fight Video, the Charges, and What Actually Happened
What Were the Gavin McKenna Assault Charges About?
This is the part of the story that dominated headlines in early February 2026, and it’s worth walking through clearly.
On the night of January 31, 2026 — the same evening Penn State played an outdoor game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium — an altercation occurred in downtown State College. McKenna was reportedly out with teammates and family when a confrontation broke out near a parking garage. According to the criminal complaint filed by State College Police, McKenna allegedly punched another man twice in the face, leaving the victim with a fractured jaw and a missing tooth. The incident was captured on street surveillance cameras. (Source: ABC27, CBS Pittsburgh)
Police filed multiple charges against McKenna on February 4, including:
- Felony aggravated assault (first degree)
- Misdemeanor simple assault
- Summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment
McKenna was released on $20,000 bail.
Were the Gavin McKenna Felony Charges Dropped?
Yes — and this is the important update. Just two days after the charges were filed, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna reviewed the video evidence and withdrew the most serious charge.
“A review of the video does not support a conclusion that Gavin McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or with reckless indifference to the value of human life,” Cantorna said at a press conference. (Source: StateCollege.com)
The felony aggravated assault charge was dropped. McKenna still faced a misdemeanor charge of simple assault and the summary offenses, but the most legally consequential charge — the one that could have carried up to 20 years in prison — was gone.
He remained listed on Penn State’s roster throughout the proceedings and continued to play. The university’s athletic department stated only that they were “aware that charges have been filed” and declined further comment while the legal matter was ongoing.
It’s worth being clear: McKenna has not been convicted of any charges and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
2026 NHL Draft: Where Will Gavin McKenna Get Drafted?
Who Has the No. 1 Pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?
In one of the biggest story lines of the week, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on May 6, 2026 — claiming the first overall pick with just 8.5% odds. The San Jose Sharks landed the No. 2 pick, and the Vancouver Canucks will select third.
The Leafs needed to land a top-five pick to retain it; otherwise it would have converted to the Boston Bruins as part of a previous trade. They didn’t just retain it — they won the whole thing. (Source: NHL.com)
“You need some luck and we got it tonight,” said new Leafs GM John Chayka, who had literally just been appointed to the role two days prior. Talk about a welcome gift.
Will Gavin McKenna Go to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Almost certainly yes — at least, that’s what nearly every mock draft and scout is projecting. ESPN, Elite Prospects, The Athletic, and NHL Central Scouting all rank McKenna as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 Draft. NHL.com ranks him as the top North American skater.
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button put it plainly: “I think he is the best player in the draft.” Button also pointed out the fit in Toronto — McKenna is a playmaking left wing, precisely the role vacated when Mitch Marner departed for Vegas. Playing alongside Auston Matthews could be a dream scenario for both. (Source: TSN)
The only real alternative at No. 1 is Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, who plays for Frölunda in Sweden’s SHL. Stenberg had 33 points in 43 SHL games this season — the most by an 18-year-old in that league since Daniel and Henrik Sedin back in 1998–99. He’s ranked No. 1 among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting and No. 2 overall by ESPN, Elite Prospects, and The Athletic. (Source: NHL.com)
Leafs senior executive advisor Mats Sundin — yes, that Mats Sundin — commented on both players after the lottery win, noting they’re both “dynamic with the puck” and “a threat to score or create scoring chances every shift.”
NHL Mock Draft 2026: What Does the Top of the Draft Look Like?
Who Are the Top Prospects Beyond McKenna in the 2026 NHL Draft?
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Beyond the McKenna-Stenberg debate at the top, here’s how the early mock drafts are shaping up:
Based on post-lottery mock drafts from TSN and NHL.com, the early consensus looks something like this for the top five:
- Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna (Penn State, LW)
- San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg (Frölunda, SWE, LW) or Alberts Smits (D)
- Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL, C)
- Chicago Blackhawks — Ivar Stenberg or Chase Reid (D)
- New York Rangers — Keaton Verhoeff (University of North Dakota, D)
The Blackhawks at No. 4 are an interesting team to watch here. With Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell already in the fold at center, Stenberg as a playmaking wing could pair beautifully with either of them — and yes, that would make McKenna and Bedard’s family connection a fun storyline if Stenberg ends up in Chicago.
It’s also worth noting that if the Maple Leafs — for any reason — pass on McKenna, the Sharks already have Macklin Celebrini anchoring their future. Adding Stenberg around Celebrini would make San Jose one of the most exciting young teams in hockey within three years.
Comparing McKenna to Past No. 1 Picks
How Does McKenna’s Hype Compare to Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini?
The comparison is inevitable. Connor Bedard (2023, Chicago Blackhawks) and Macklin Celebrini (2024, San Jose Sharks) are the two most recent first-overall picks, both out of college hockey or major junior programs. McKenna’s pre-draft buzz sits firmly in that same tier.
In fact, when McKenna announced his commitment to Penn State, his hype was explicitly compared to Bedard’s going into the 2023 draft. Red Line Report’s Kyle Woodlief said at the time: McKenna’s gifts are “so special, it’s hard to find the superlatives to adequately describe them.” That’s not exactly measured language — but scouts at this level rarely use measured language when a generational talent comes along.
If McKenna is selected first overall by Toronto, he would be the third college hockey player in five years to go No. 1, following Celebrini (BU, 2024) and Owen Power (Michigan, 2021).
What’s Next for Gavin McKenna?
What Happens After Penn State for McKenna?
He was always expected to play just one season at Penn State before entering the NHL Draft, and that’s exactly the trajectory he’s on. The 2026 Draft in Buffalo is his destination, with Toronto now holding the key to his immediate future.
Whatever happens with the remaining legal matters, the hockey world’s consensus hasn’t really moved: Gavin McKenna is the most dynamic offensive talent in this draft class, and the Maple Leafs are almost universally expected to call his name on June 26.
For Leafs fans who’ve spent years watching their team grind through the playoff wilderness, this is a genuinely exciting moment. A new GM, a new senior advisor in Mats Sundin, and now the potential to add a player being mentioned alongside Crosby, Tavares, Bedard, and McDavid in pre-draft company. That doesn’t happen often. Enjoy it.
Quick-Reference: Key Facts About Gavin McKenna
- Full name: Gavin McKenna
- Age: 18
- Hometown: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
- Position: Left wing
- Jersey number: 72
- Current team: Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA)
- Former team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
- 2024–25 WHL stats: 129 points (41G, 88A) in 56 games
- 2025–26 NCAA stats: 51 points in 34 games (Big Ten scoring leader)
- Draft projection: No. 1 overall, 2026 NHL Draft
- Draft team: Toronto Maple Leafs (won lottery May 6, 2026)
- Family connection: Cousin by marriage to Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks)
- Awards: CHL Player of the Year 2025, Big Ten Freshman of the Year 2026
Read My More Articles: What Is AUSL Softball? Teams, Draft & Salaries 2026
