Can Penn State beat out Michigan State for top recruit, projected future No. 1 NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna?

Penn State hockey has already parlayed its first trip to the Frozen Four into a torrid recruiting run this offseason. Can it lead the Lions to land the nation’s top prospect who projects to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?

Sportsnet Canada NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported recently that head coach Guy Gadowsky’s side appears to be one of the CHL Player of the Year’s top two choices. Michigan State is the other. Multiple reports on Monday said that the prized recruit was visiting both schools with plans to decide soon.

“He did some Zooms, he did Penn State, he did Michigan State, he did Michigan, and he did Denver,” Friedman said on 32 Thoughts, The Podcast, per Sportsnet. “It sounds like it’s probably coming down to Penn State, who we guessed, and Michigan State.”

Gavin McKenna visited Penn State yesterday and is heading to Michigan State today for his in-person campus visit.

The red carpet has been fully rolled out.

We can expect a formal decision in the coming days.

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) June 30, 2025

McKenna, a forward, is considered one of, if not the best, junior-level players in the world. A new rule that takes effect for the 2025-2026 season allows CHL players to compete at the NCAA level for the first time, which is why this possibility exists in the first place.

En route to sweeping player of the year honors, McKenna tallied 129 points in 56 games and had a point in 54 consecutive games this past year. He is also eligible to return to his Canadian junior league team, Medicine Hat. He guided it to the Memorial Cup finals.

As for the Lions’ recent recruiting run, Sportsnet sums it up in part as follows:

“Top CHL players to commit to Penn State this off-season include Tri-City Americans defenceman Jackson Smith, a projected first-round pick in Friday’s NHL Draft, and Calgary Flames prospect Luke Misa, a Brampton Steelheads centre.”

Penn State headlines of the day

Triton head coach on Penn State commit Pierce Petersohn: ‘He has the perfect mindset to be able to succeed at that level’: Snyder, BWI

What did we learn about Penn State recruiting in June?: Snyder, BWI

Four-star DE Jackson Ford details Penn State’s competition and what ultimately separated the Nittany Lions: Snyder, BWI

Will PJ Duke have a spot in the 2025-2026 Penn State wrestling lineup?: Offseason questions: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“When you watch his tape, the athleticism just pops off instantly. You see the track numbers. You see his basketball numbers. It connects to the football field. I think it’s a perfect display of why you should be a three-sport athlete.

“But I would also say that his football knowledge stands out. His ability to anticipate and his ability to understand what a defense is trying to do to us as a quarterback is very good. That’s honestly what encourages me the most about him playing a tight end at the next level. He can connect those two things and continue to do that at a high level.”

Triton head football coach Brandon Neseth on PSU commit Pierce Petersohn.