Gavin McKenna faces felony charge as 2026 NHL Draft spotlight intensifies

Gavin McKenna, the projected top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a freshman standout at Penn State, is facing a felony aggravated assault charge stemming from an alleged off-ice incident in State College, Pennsylvania. The development has quickly shifted the conversation around one of hockey’s most watched prospects from points and projections to legal process, team discipline, and what comes next on and off the ice.

What McKenna is charged with

State College police filed charges on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (ET) connected to an alleged altercation in downtown State College on Saturday night, January 31, 2026 (ET). Court records list:

• Felony aggravated assault

• Misdemeanor simple assault

• Summary offenses related to disorderly conduct and harassment

The allegations have not been proven in court. At this stage, the case is in its early procedural phase, and key details—such as the precise sequence of events, whether there were injuries, and what evidence authorities are relying on—have not been fully laid out publicly.

Why the legal stakes are serious

In Pennsylvania, aggravated assault is one of the most serious violent-crime charges, and the felony count carries the possibility of significant prison time if there is a conviction. That doesn’t mean a conviction is likely—only that the statutory exposure is high given the charge level.

For McKenna, the immediate impact is reputational and practical: every next step (hearings, representation, potential university action, and any restrictions) can influence his ability to play, train, and travel. For Penn State and hockey’s broader ecosystem, the case raises familiar questions about accountability, athlete conduct, and how institutions respond when allegations collide with elite talent.

Penn State and hockey’s waiting game

As of Wednesday night, there was no widely circulated, detailed public explanation from Penn State athletics about what happened. In situations like this, schools often limit comment while facts are developing and counsel is involved, especially when criminal charges are filed.

From a team standpoint, programs generally have a few options—ranging from continued participation while the legal process unfolds, to temporary suspension or other internal discipline. The decision typically depends on the underlying facts, any campus code-of-conduct review, and whether the athlete’s presence becomes a distraction or a safety concern.

Key takeaways

• The case is at the charging stage; the allegations are unproven.

• University action, if any, may come separately from the court timeline.

• Draft implications tend to hinge on verified facts and legal outcomes, not rumor.

Who Gavin McKenna is on the ice

McKenna’s rise is the reason this story is drawing national attention. After dominating in major junior hockey, he made a high-profile move to the NCAA and quickly looked like a difference-maker at Penn State despite being draft-eligible rather than draft-selected.

By mid-January, he was listed No. 1 among North American skaters in the NHL’s midterm draft rankings, and his production at Penn State had him tracking as a top-of-class talent. He also played a major role for Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship, producing at a rate that put him among the tournament’s most impactful players and helping Canada secure a bronze medal.

That combination—elite vision, playmaking, and big-game résumé—had already made him the defining name of the 2026 draft conversation.

What happens next for McKenna and the 2026 draft picture

The next developments are likely to come in three lanes:

First is the court process: preliminary hearings, filings, and any public statements from attorneys. Even when the facts are contested, procedural steps can clarify timelines and narrow what is actually alleged.

Second is Penn State’s internal response: whether McKenna remains with the team, is held out temporarily, or faces university discipline. Schools often act on conduct standards even when a criminal case is unresolved.

Third is the draft and hockey response: NHL teams will keep evaluating his on-ice performance, but the off-ice file becomes part of the due diligence. Clubs tend to wait for verified information—police affidavits, court outcomes, and credible documentation—before making definitive judgments, while still preparing contingency plans for how to handle risk.

For now, the core facts are straightforward: a top prospect has been charged, the incident is alleged, and the outcome is unknown. The next chapter will depend on what can be proven in court and how quickly clarity replaces speculation.

Sources consulted: Reuters, ESPN, CBS News, Hockey Canada