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Penn State

Penn State hockey will land CHL player of the year, generational recruit Gavin McKenna, reports say

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel07/07/25GregPickel
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Penn State men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky.

Penn State hockey is reportedly on the cusp of earningsits biggest recruiting win in program history. Star forward Gavin McKenna will announce this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow, that he is signing with the Nittany Lions. Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects first reported, citing sources. McKenna is the reigning David Branch Award winner as the Canadian Hockey League player of the year and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He is expected to announce his decision on social media officially later this week.

Rumors and reports began to circulate following the conclusion of the CHL season, suggesting that Guy Gadowsky’s program was competing with Michigan State, among others, for McKenna. He played last season for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League. It is one of three elite junior leagues run by the CHL. McKenna, who was also named the WHL’s most valuable player, tallied 129 points (41 goals and 88 assists) over 56 regular-season games. He led his team to a WHL title and had a point in 54 consecutive games between the regular season and postseason, which is the CHL’s longest since 2000.

“It means a lot,” McKenna told the NHL’s official website when asked about winning the David Branch Award. “I think going into the year that was my goal. It’s pretty special to win that now. I know my family will be proud. And, so will my teammates. I couldn’t have done it without those guys.

“I don’t think you win an award like this without teammates and guys around you. You need them. Hockey’s not a one-man sport. You need every single guy and those guys all helped me, pushing me every single day in practice and helping me out in the games. Lot of credit to those guys.”

McKenna will be a historic win for Penn State

And even to put it like that is probably an understatement. Simply put, he is a generational prospect who is seen as the probable next face of the NHL. He is expected to spend just one season in State College. It will be the first one that NCAA rules allow CHL players to compete in the college ranks. McKenna also had the option of staying in the WHL, of course.

It’s just the latest win for Penn State. The Lions made their first Frozen Four appearance earlier this year. Since, Gadowsky’s side has landedJackson Smith, a defenseman who is a projected top 15 pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Forward Luke Misa is committed too, among others.

“The left-shot defenseman has NHL-ready size, skates well enough to be a one-man breakout and can make a smart first pass out of the zone,” NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman writes on Smith. “The 18-year-old has solid offensive skills, and was physical in the defensive zone while playing against other team’s top lines.”

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