Gavin McKenna, projected No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft, commits to play at Penn State in 2025-26, per report

Gavin McKenna – Selection number 1 projected by 2026 Nhl Draft: It is expected to commit to Penn State for the 2025-26 season, According to Cam Robinson of elite perspectives. An official program announcement is expected on Tuesday.

From August 1, 2025, Junior Hockey Players of the Hockey League of Ontario, the Western Hockey League and the Junior Hockey League of Quebec Maritimes can play NCAA Hockey after a reference rule change. In the past, junior hockey players were considered professionals and, therefore, were not allowed to play NCAA.

McKenna will be the biggest perspective to ever commit to Penn State’s hockey program. Directing his decision, he knew himself widely McKenna would bring his talent to the collegial level.

According to Elliotte Friedman from SportsnetMcKenna had previously visited with Michigan, Michigan State and Denver, as well as Penn State. The Spartans were finalists in the hiring of McKenna before losing in front of Nitany Lions.

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McKenna set up a sensational season for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League in 2024-25. The young man, 17, recorded 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games, while producing 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 playoff games, as Medicine Hat won the Whl Championship.

The star of the star reached 2,304 points per game, the third highest mark for a 17-year-old in the history of the league behind only the Chicago star Blackhawks Connor Bedard (2022-23) and Rob Brown (1985-86). McKenna ends their race with 244 points (79 goals, 165 assists) in 133 games.

McKenna took second place of the WHL in points (129) and fifth in goals (41), while leading the league in attendance (88). The product of northern Canada also took fifth place in game attendance (28) and was tied by third in the traffic goals (4). He also recorded a 54 -game streak that started in the regular season and lasted the playoffs.

He is called a generational talent that will probably make the leap to the NHL level immediately. The spectacular McKenna season surpassed the age of the age of Connor McDavid in which Edmonton Oilers stars in 99 points (28 goals, 71 assists) for the Ohl Otters Orie.

McKenna will join a Penn State hockey program that was qualified as a club team before the 2012-13 season. However, Lions Nitany have enjoyed a lot of increased decade. Penn State accumulated a record of 22-14-4 in 2024-25 and reached its first four frozen.

Nitany Lions continue to build this historic season by ensuring the Columbus Blue Jackets’ commitments in the first round of Jackson Smith, as well as Luke Misa, the brother of the first round of San Jose sharks, Michael Misa. With McKenna joining -Penn State will probably be a force in the Big Ten again and could do another career at Four Four.