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What are they saying about Gavin McKenna's commitment to Penn State?

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•07/08/25•

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Penn State hockey was blanked for the third time in five games on Friday night. (Daniel Althouse/BWI)

It’s been less than three months since Penn State’s men’s hockey program made the Frozen Four for the first time since moving to Division I during the 2012-2013 season. Although they didn’t get the win over Boston University in the semifinals, the trip to St. Louis marked the biggest moment in the D1 program’s short 13-year history.

Now, just 89 days later, you can argue that July 8 may well go down as the biggest day ever for Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky and his program.

Earlier this evening, one of the top hockey prospects in the past two decades, forward Gavin McKenna, announced on ESPN that he’ll leave his Canadian major junior hockey team, the Medicine Hat Tigers, to play NCAA hockey with the Nittany Lions later this year. The 17-year-old is expected to play just one season at the college level, as hockey scouts across the United States and Canada expect him to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

A left winger who’s listed at 6-foot, 165 pounds, McKenna was named the CHL Rookie of the Year for the 2023-2024 season after totaling 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) at just 16 years old. His 2024-2025 season was even better, as McKenna totaled 129 points (41 goals and 88 assists) in 56 games. He also became the third youngest player to win CHL Player of the Year honors. Only six-time NHL all-star John Tavares and three-time Stanley Cup champion and future Hockey Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby earned that award at a younger age.

That’s some pretty good company.

So, what are they saying nationally about Penn State landing one of the best hockey prospects in the past 25 years? We gathered the opinions of scouts and journalists to get a feel for what everyone is saying.

NHL.com scouting director on Gavin McKenna

I linked this stat in the Lions Den Monday evening because I think it brings into perspective just how impressive McKenna’s most recent season was. It was only two years ago when teams across the NHL were openly tanking with the hope of landing center Connor Bedard.

Of course, Bedard stayed in the WHL and totaled 143 points during his draft season, but McKenna outproduced him substantially during his 17-year-old season. As you can see above, Crosby is the only player to put up a better points per game average as a 17-year-old.

“McKenna is in a special category that you only come across every few years,” NHL Central Scouting vice president and director Dan Marr said. “His offensive instincts and playmaking game are truly exceptional and it’s his composure, compete and maturity that really sell you on his talent.”

“His game resembles the likes of Patrick Kane and Doug Gilmour, who both had slight builds and were able to utilize their talents to produce and use those same smarts and wits to protect themselves from hockey’s physical elements,” Marr said.

McKenna’s decision could be just the beginning for NCAA hockey

It’s no secret that revenue-sharing and NIL have had a major impact on all college sports. While football and basketball make up the largest share of where that money goes, it’s now becoming clear how a sport like men’s hockey could be impacted by these changes.

“The upcoming season is the first in which players in CHL players—the WHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)— are able to play in college after a NCAA ban was dropped last November following an August 2024 antirust lawsuit,” wrote Meredith Turits at Front Office Sports. “After the ruling, it was unclear how many prospects would jump, especially when it has been difficult to sell the NCAA over the CHL, particularly for Canadian players. 

“With McKenna’s quick defection, U.S. college hockey is the preferred developmental destination over the CHL. Throughout the past several years, the college game has evolved to better reflect play in the NHL—faster, more physical, and older—and the most elite players are now seeing the potential for better opportunities on NCAA ice. As McKenna brings his talent to college, the CHL is likely to see more attrition.”

McKenna is actually the second former WHL player to join Penn State’s 2025-2026 roster, as Tri-City defenseman Jackson Smith committed to the Nittany Lions on June 15. Just two weeks later, he was selected in the first round of this year’s NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Those two will join rising sophomore center Charlie Cerrato, who was selected in the second round at No. 49 overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. Cerrato and Smith are already the highest draft picks in Penn State history. Expect that to change next June.

ESPN: Gavin McKenna, likely top pick of ’26, commits to Penn State

FC Hockey: Gavin McKenna is the superstar of the 2026 NHL Draft

Bleacher Report: Eight NHL Teams already looking toward Gavin McKenna and 2026 Draft Class

SportsNet: Scout’s Analysis: How good is top 2026 draft prospect Gavin McKenna?

FloSports: Is Gavin McKenna the 2026 NHL Draft No. 1 Pick?

FC Hockey: Top 2026 prospect Gavin McKenna is on an absolute historic tear


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