Penn State hockey player Gavin McKenna has been charged with a crime of aggravated assault, Us Weekly can confirm
The 18-year-old athlete was charged Wednesday, Feb. 4, with one count of aggravated assault — attempt to cause SBI or injury with extreme recklessness, according to court documents obtained by we.
McKenna also faces a misdemeanor count of simple assault and summary charges of harassment, subjecting others to physical contact and disorderly conduct engaging in (d) fighting, according to the filing. (Local affiliate of ABC WHTM was the first to report the news.)
The incident allegedly involves McKenna, who is projected to be one of the best in 2026 NHL Draft pick — took place on Saturday, January 31, according to the documents. The case is currently “pending a preliminary hearing,” according to court records.
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Us Weekly A representative for the Penn State men’s hockey team has been reached for comment.
The date of McKenna’s alleged altercation coincides with Penn State’s most recent home hockey game against Michigan State, held Saturday at Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania.
The No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions lost to the No. 1 Michigan State Spartans. 2 a a close 5-4 game. During the game, McKenna, a freshman, secured a goal and an assist.
While details surrounding the alleged altercation have not been released, state university police filed charges against McKenna on Wednesday, according to the police report.
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McKenna’s case is currently assigned to the Magisterial District Judge Casey McClain in State College Borough, Center County, Pennsylvania.
Prior to McKenna’s alleged involvement in the reported assault, the athlete was a rising star on the university’s men’s hockey team.
according to the biography of your teamMcKenna is rated as the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Before playing for the Nittany Lions, McKenna played three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers as part of the Western Hockey League, leading the team to the 2025 WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Final, according to his bio.
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Last year, McKenna was named the 2025 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) Player of the Year, becoming the third youngest CHL Player of the Year behind. NHL icons Sidney Crosby i John Tavares.
McKenna, who is from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, was part of Team Canada’s 2024 U18 World Championship squad when it won the gold medal. He scored 10 goals with 10 assists for 20 points in seven games, according to his Penn State profile.
Head hockey coach at Penn State Guy GadowskyMeanwhile, he previously applauded McKenna for being “very polite” and “respectful” during the team’s media day via WHTM in September 2025.
“His work ethic is great, he’s a great fit in our locker room,” Gadowsky added.
So far in his first year at Penn State, McKenna has already scored 11 goals and leads the team in points with 32 in 24 games played.
McKenna last posted on social media on Tuesday, February 3. He shared a series of photos of himself and his teammates in their ice hockey uniforms. “Hockey Valley 👏,” she captioned the upload.
McKenna and the Nittany Lions next play away at Michigan on Friday, February 13th.