Report: Gavin McKenna committing to Penn State
The highly-rated 2026 NHL Draft prospect is reportedly headed to Happy Valley.
Gavin McKenna is reportedly heading to Penn State to play college hockey.
McKenna, who is rated as one of if not the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, is said to have decided he plans to commit to Penn State.
Elite Prospects and the Centre Daily Times both reported on the news Monday.
BREAKING: Multiple sources indicate that Gavin McKenna will commit to Penn State University for 2025-26
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) July 7, 2025
One of the most electrifying prospects chooses the Nittany Lions. A game-changing get for PSU hockey.
Read more: https://t.co/5L6NFs8rqq pic.twitter.com/8KodDOh5nW
McKenna, 17, scored 41 goals and 88 assists for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League and many expect him to be the first overall pick in the NHL Draft next summer.
Elite Prospects called McKenna “the most high-profile recruit in college hockey history.”
Penn State is listed 12th in the country according to the latest NCAA rankings having competed in its first ever Frozen Four earlier this year, losing 3-1 in the national semifinals to Boston University.
The buzz surrounding McKenna’s said commitment to Penn State was felt immediately in the Pittsburgh hockey community with popular analyst Jesse Marshall saying “Looks like I’m driving to Happy Valley a few times next year for some hockey games.”
The Nittany Lions are slated to begin their upcoming season on the road against Arizona State on October 3 at the Mullett Arena in Tempe.