Gavin McKenna, the consensus No. 1 prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, is reportedly set to commit to Penn State University. The news, initially reported by Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world. McKenna's decision is a significant victory for Penn State and a potential game-changer for NCAA hockey, signaling a shift in the developmental landscape for elite hockey prospects. An official announcement is expected later this week.
McKenna, a 17-year-old left-winger from Whitehorse, Yukon, has been playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Standing at 6'0" and weighing 165 pounds, he is considered a generational talent, often mentioned in the same breath as Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard. McKenna was granted exceptional status by BC Hockey and Hockey Alberta, allowing him to play in the WHL at age 15. Last season, McKenna showcased his exceptional skills, amassing 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games. His outstanding performance led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Memorial Cup and earned him the David Branch Player of the Year award as the best Canadian amateur player. He also had nine goals and 38 points in 16 playoff games, adding three goals and six points in four games at the Memorial Cup. Furthermore, he shone on the international stage, scoring 10 goals and 20 points in seven games at the World Junior Championships U-18 tournament for Team Canada.
McKenna's commitment is a major coup for Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky, who is having a transformative offseason. Penn State's hockey program is on the rise, having reached its first Frozen Four in 2025. The team is returning many key players and is poised to become a college hockey powerhouse. McKenna will join other highly touted recruits, including defenseman Jackson Smith, a 2025 first-round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and forward Luke Misa, a Calgary Flames prospect.
McKenna's decision to play college hockey reflects a growing trend among top prospects. The NCAA's ban on CHL players was dropped last November, making it possible for players in the WHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) to play college hockey. This ruling, which followed an August 2024 antitrust lawsuit, has made U.S. college hockey a more attractive development path for elite players. Some major-conference programs, like those in the Big Ten, boast six-figure revenue-sharing and NIL budgets. While McKenna's compensation has not been reported, he has the potential to earn significantly more in the NCAA than in the CHL.
While McKenna's stay at Penn State is expected to be brief, with the NHL beckoning in 2026, his presence will bring significant attention to the program and elevate their status as contenders. He is expected to make an immediate impact on the ice when Penn State opens its season against Arizona State on October 3.
