Top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna faces assault charges
Posted on : 05 Feb 2026 | By : Darryl CooteTop NHL prospect Gavin McKenna faces assault charges...
Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Gavin McKenna, the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL entry draft, was charged with felony aggravated assault on Wednesday, according to court documents. The court documents state that the Canadian hockey player, who turned 18 years old on Dec. 20, was also charged with misdemeanor assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. McKenna, who plays for Penn State, was charged by police in State College, Pa., according to the court documents, which state he is awaiting a preliminary hearing. Details of the incident were not made public. If convicted, McKenna faces up to 20 years in prison. On Saturday afternoon, Penn State played Michigan in an outdoor game before nearly 75,000 people at Beaver Stadium. McKenna had three points, a goal and two assists, in the 5-4 overtime loss. A Penn State Athletics spokesperson told Onward State, a Penn State student news organization, the first to report on the charges, that they are aware that charges have been filed. "As this is an going legal matter, we will not have any further comment," the spokesperson said. The Yukon-born McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists in 24 games this season with Penn State. He is the projected first-overall pick in the upcoming NHL entry draft, according to the NHL's prospect rankings.