Gavin McKenna: felony charge withdrawn, Penn State forward still faces misdemeanor counts

Penn State men’s hockey freshman Gavin McKenna, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, will not face a felony aggravated assault charge after prosecutors reviewed video evidence tied to an alleged off-ice altercation in State College, Pennsylvania. The Centre County district attorney’s office said Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, that the felony count is being withdrawn, but McKenna still faces lesser charges that keep the case moving through court this spring.

The development narrows the most serious legal exposure in the case while leaving open the central questions: what happened during the confrontation, whether the remaining counts can be proven, and how the incident affects McKenna’s status with Penn State and his draft outlook.

Who is Gavin McKenna?

McKenna is an 18-year-old Canadian forward and a high-profile first-year player at Penn State. He entered college hockey with heavy attention as a potential top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, following standout junior production and international appearances for Canada.

On the ice, he has been one of the most closely watched freshmen in the NCAA this season, both for his scoring and for what his presence signals about the growing pipeline of elite juniors choosing college hockey routes.

What prosecutors changed Friday

The Centre County district attorney’s office said the felony aggravated assault charge was withdrawn after a review of video evidence. Prosecutors indicated the evidence did not support the level of intent required for the felony count as originally filed.

That does not end the case. It changes the ceiling of the prosecution while leaving the incident subject to further court review under the remaining allegations.

What charges remain

McKenna still faces a misdemeanor simple assault charge, along with disorderly conduct and harassment-related counts. The case is expected to proceed on those charges unless there are additional changes through motions, amended filings, or a negotiated resolution.

Key facts confirmed so far

• The felony aggravated assault charge has been withdrawn after a video review (Feb. 6, 2026).

• McKenna remains charged with misdemeanor simple assault and other lesser counts.

• The alleged incident occurred in State College following a major Penn State hockey event weekend.

The “mom” angle: what’s rumor vs. confirmed

Online discussion has centered on claims that the confrontation escalated after comments directed at McKenna’s mother. Those claims have circulated widely but have not been publicly confirmed by prosecutors or police in official statements describing the basis for the remaining charges.

At this stage, the most defensible public understanding is simple: authorities are relying on evidence they say supports misdemeanor-level offenses, while the felony allegation did not meet the threshold prosecutors believe they could prove in court.

What happens next and what it could mean for Penn State

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2026, which is a key procedural step where the court evaluates whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed toward trial on the remaining charges.

For Penn State hockey, the immediate questions are administrative and competitive:

• Whether the program imposes discipline beyond any legal outcome

• Whether McKenna’s availability changes as the court process unfolds

• How the situation affects team operations, travel, and media obligations

For the NHL draft world, the bigger question is risk assessment. Even with the felony withdrawn, teams will weigh the remaining allegations, the underlying facts, and any university or league actions as part of broader background work.

Sources consulted: Associated Press; ESPN; Los Angeles Times; Penn State Athletics