Gavin McKenna, the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, committed to Penn State, he announced Tuesday on SportsCenter.
McKenna becomes the highest-profile prospect to make the jump to the NCAA since the Division I Council voted to make CHL players eligible for college hockey. The new rule takes effect with the 2025-26 season.
17-year-old hockey phenom Gavin McKenna is heading to Penn State to continue his career pic.twitter.com/qrxxfILu9P
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 8, 2025
The 17-year-old center starred with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers over the past two seasons. McKenna posted 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games last season.
He added 38 points in 16 playoff games to lead Medicine Hat to the WHL championship.
McKenna’s performance earned him CHL Player of the Year honors. He became the third-youngest recipient of the award behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.
GAVIN MCKENNA GOAL OF THE YEAR?!
The top 2026 #NHLDraft prospect is a human highlight reel!
(: @TheWHL) pic.twitter.com/5yiXXewL0s
— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2025
The Yukon native represented Canada at the 2025 World Juniors. McKenna set a Canadian scoring record at the 2024 Under-18s with 20 points in seven games.
“McKenna is in a special category that you only come across every few years. His offensive instincts and playmaking game are truly exceptional, and it’s his composure, compete, and maturity that really sell you on his talent.”
NHL Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr said that to NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman.
Penn State reached the Frozen Four this year for the first time since becoming a Division I program in 2012. The Nittany Lions lost in the national semifinals to Boston University.
McKenna joins Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder Jackson Smith as a major CHL commit for Penn State. Calgary Flames prospect Luke Misa and WHL scorer Shea Van Olm also committed to the Nittany Lions.
