Know all details about Gavin McKenna, who is set to join Penn State University for his college in 2026
Gavin McKenna is the top prospect for the 2026 NHL entry draft and arguably the biggest name to ever be brought into college hockey.
As NCAA Division I hockey programs prepare to welcome Canadian Hockey League (CHL) alumni for the first time this fall, rising star Gavin McKenna appears poised to follow suit. According to multiple reports, McKenna is expected to announce his commitment to Penn State University, possibly as early as Tuesday. The news was first reported by Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, signaling a major shift in the collegiate hockey landscape.
Who is Penn State’s Gavin McKenna: Bio, age, height, parents, college, draft year, scouting report and stats
Gavin McKenna emerged as one of Canada’s most promising junior talents. Representing the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League (WHL), he quickly caught national attention not just for his dazzling play but also for his leadership and poise. Born on December 20, 2007, McKenna stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and plays as a left-shooting forward, combining sharp instincts with impressive consistency.
McKenna who was born in Whitehorse, Canada, parents, Willy and Krystal, both played hockey so it was easy to pass along the love of the game to their only son.
McKenna is a small-town kid who left home at 13 to play in the Rink Hockey Academy program in Kelowna, B.C. He has played for the Canadian National Team at both the the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, in which he set a new Canadian record for most points at a single U18 tournament. The 17-year-old left wing is coming off a 129-point regular season with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and followed up with a playoff run that saw him collect 38 points in 16 games.
He was the first Yukon-born player to be drafted first overall in the Western Hockey League and is a member of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation. H
Gavin McKenna, the top prospect in hockey and projected generational NHL talent, has chosen Penn State for 2025-26 🦁
(via @J_Swish24 & @Hockey_Robinson) pic.twitter.com/HQQOBtydPg
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) July 7, 2025
His selection as the first overall pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft marked a historic moment—he became the first Yukon-born player to achieve that milestone. Although Hockey Alberta and BC Hockey granted him exceptional status, the WHL did not extend the same designation. In his debut season, he tallied 18 points in 16 games, while also amassing 75 points in 26 contests at the U18 prep level with South Alberta Hockey Academy.
Ahead of the 2024–25 season, the Tigers entrusted him with the role of alternate captain. In November, he began a remarkable point streak that stretched across 40 games, eventually reaching 54 games into the playoffs—a WHL record for the 21st century. He completed the regular season with 129 points, including a league-leading 88 assists, finishing just behind Andrew Cristall in total points.
McKenna played a pivotal role in Medicine Hat’s WHL championship run, registering 38 playoff points in 16 games. His contributions powered the team to the Ed Chynoweth Cup and a strong finish as runners-up in the Memorial Cup, where he was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team. For his incredible season, the CHL honored him with the David Branch Player of the Year Award, making him the third-youngest recipient after legends like Crosby and Tavares.
On the international stage, McKenna led Canada to gold at both the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championships and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He broke national scoring records along the way and consistently stepped up in key moments, including a hat-trick performance in the U18 final against the U.S. His efforts earned him spots on both tournaments’ All-Star Teams.
BREAKING: Multiple sources indicate that Gavin McKenna will commit to Penn State University for 2025-26.
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Off the ice, McKenna remains deeply connected to his roots. He belongs to the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation of the Hän people. His family’s support proved instrumental as his parents had both played hockey, and his father built him an outdoor rink every winter. Interestingly, McKenna also shares a family tie with Connor Bedard, being his cousin by marriage.
know all details about Gavin:
- Date of Birth: December 20, 2007
- Age: 17-years-old
- Birthplace: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
- Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)
- Position: Forward
- Shoots: Left
- WHL Team: Medicine Hat Tigers
- NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026
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