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Why did hockey superstar prospect Gavin McKenna pick Penn State? Here's what he told ESPN

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel07/08/25GregPickel
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(Photo by Kylie Barton/Penn State Athletics)

Penn State hockey officially landed prized prospect Gavin McKenna on Tuesday when he made his college choice live on ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter.’ The third-youngest skater to ever win the CHL Player of the Year award (only Penguins’ legend Sydney Crosby and Toronto Maple Leafs star John Tavares have him beat on that list) is coming to play college hockey thanks to a new rule that allows CHL players to do so for the first time during the 2025-2026 season. Michigan State was reportedly one of his other finalists. What led the Lions to win out in the end?

“It was a super tough decision,” McKeena told ESPN. Obviously, there’s a lot of great options out there. But I think me and my family and everyone kind of part of my circle, we all decided on the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University. I think Penn State is a great spot for me. I got to kind of get a taste of what it’s like there, and got to bring along my dad, and we both thought it was a great spot for me.

McKenna is expected to play just one season in State College. The Canadian joins head coach Guy Gadowsky’s team at a time when the Lions are listed as the early favorite to win next year’s Frozen Four, according to odds posted by DraftKings this week. That’s in large part due to landing McKenna. Still, the Lions also have this year’s No. 14 overall NHL Draft pick, freshman defenseman Jackson Smith. They also have the No. 49 overall selection in this year’s pro selection process, sophomore forward Charlie Cerrato, among others.

More: See more Penn State hockey coverage from Blue-White Illustrated here

“I think the main goal is obviously to win a championship,” McKenna said. “I think you kind of saw what Penn State did this year, making it to the Frozen Four. They’ve come a long ways. And I think next year, when I go there, obviously, that’s the goal, is to win a championship.”

Considered a generational talent, McKenna is projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and is widely regarded as the top up-and-coming talent in the sport.

“I think it honestly, just makes the jump easier,” McKenna said of going to college instead of playing one more year in juniors. “You know, going against older, heavier, stronger guys, I think it really prepares you. And I think even in the locker room, you know, hanging around older guys and being around more mature guys, I think that’ll help me a lot in my first season.

“I think both options are great, but I just think that’s going to college. And, being in such a great conference, it’ll really challenge me and prepare me.”

Penn State will open its 2025-2026 season with two games in three days at Arizona State Oct. 3-5. The rest of the Lions’ schedule has not been announced yet.

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