Gavin McKenna, Penn State’s hockey sensation and a consensus top pick for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, is facing serious legal trouble after being charged with felony aggravated assault and related offenses stemming from an altercation in State College on January 31. The incident occurred just hours after McKenna’s standout performance in a high-profile outdoor game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium, which drew a record college hockey crowd of 74,575 fans.
According to court documents and multiple reports, the alleged assault took place around 8:45 p.m. along the 100 block of South Pugh Street, in front of a parking garage near downtown bars frequented by students and supporters. Police say McKenna, 18, was seen leaving Doggie’s Pub shortly before the incident unfolded. Witnesses reported that an exchange of words between McKenna and a 21-year-old man escalated rapidly, culminating in McKenna allegedly punching the victim twice in the face. Surveillance footage reviewed by State College Borough police corroborated the sequence of events, showing McKenna delivering the blows.
The aftermath was severe. The victim sustained fractures on both sides of his jaw, lost a tooth, and required emergency corrective surgery at Mount Nittany Medical Center. According to police statements, the injuries were significant enough to necessitate wiring the victim’s jaw shut for at least two weeks. The simple assault charge alone carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but the first-degree felony aggravated assault charge could result in up to 20 years behind bars and fines up to $25,000 if McKenna is convicted.
McKenna was arraigned on February 4 and released on $20,000 unsecured bail, meaning he did not have to pay the amount upfront but would owe it if he violates the terms of his release or fails to appear in court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, before Judge Casey M. McClain. McKenna did not request a public defender, and his representatives have not yet issued a public statement.
Penn State officials acknowledged the charges but declined to elaborate. John Hanna, the associate director for communications for Penn State men’s hockey, stated, “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.” The Big Ten Conference and State College Police have not responded to additional requests for comment.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a historic day for Penn State hockey. Earlier, McKenna had delivered an electrifying performance at Beaver Stadium, scoring a goal and notching two assists in a dramatic overtime loss to Michigan State, 5-4. The game itself was a landmark event, drawing the second-largest crowd ever for an outdoor college hockey contest and showcasing McKenna’s elite skill set on a national stage.
McKenna’s journey to Penn State has already been the subject of intense interest and debate within the hockey community. The Canadian forward, hailing from Whitehorse, Yukon, stunned the sport last year by leaving the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers—a perennial powerhouse—after a record-breaking 2024-25 campaign. That season, McKenna racked up a jaw-dropping 129 points in 56 games, including 41 goals and 88 assists, and led Medicine Hat to a WHL Championship with another 38 points in the playoffs. His 54-game point streak was the talk of junior hockey, and he finished second in league scoring.
His decision to jump to the NCAA was made possible by a landmark rule change in November 2024, when the NCAA ended its long-standing ban on Canadian Hockey League players competing at the Division I level. Previously, CHL athletes were considered professionals and ineligible for college play, but an antitrust lawsuit prompted the NCAA to revise its eligibility rules. This opened the door for top prospects like McKenna to pursue both education and elite hockey in the U.S., with the added benefit of lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. McKenna’s own NIL package was reportedly in the ballpark of $700,000, though the exact figure remains unconfirmed.
Since arriving at Penn State, McKenna has lived up to the hype, tallying 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 24 games as a freshman and helping propel the Nittany Lions to an 18-4 record and a top-six national ranking. NHL Central Scouting currently ranks him as the top North American skater for the 2026 draft, and he’s widely seen as a generational talent. He also shone at the recent World Junior Championships, scoring four goals and six assists to help Team Canada secure a bronze medal.
The timing of the charges couldn’t be more disruptive for Penn State, which has eight regular-season games left and is in the thick of the Big Ten title race. McKenna’s status with the team remains uncertain, as no suspension or disciplinary action has been announced. The Nittany Lions are currently third in the Big Ten, and McKenna’s absence—should it occur—would be a major blow to their postseason aspirations. The 2026 NHL Draft, scheduled for late June in Buffalo, is fast approaching, adding another layer of uncertainty for the young phenom.
If convicted, McKenna faces not only the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence and significant fines but also potential deportation under U.S. immigration law, as he is a Canadian citizen. The legal process is still in its early stages, and all parties involved have emphasized the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
For now, the Penn State community and the broader hockey world are left grappling with the implications of the charges against one of the sport’s brightest young stars. As the legal proceedings move forward, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Gavin McKenna—on and off the ice.
With a preliminary hearing set for February 11, the next chapter in this unfolding story is just around the corner. The Nittany Lions and their fans await clarity on McKenna’s future, both as a hockey player and as a young man facing the toughest challenge of his career so far.