Breaking: Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna Faces Serious Felony Charges

This is not the kind of news that the sport of hockey needed to hear. Top prospect Gavin McKenna is facing felony charges of aggravated assault after an alleged altercation at a downtown bar near Penn State University.

JUST IN: Gavin McKenna is facing four charges, including a felony of aggravated assault, after an alleged altercation downtown Saturday night.https://t.co/PwFisKW9LV
— Onward State (@OnwardState) February 4, 2026

The alleged incident took place this past Saturday night, in downtown State College, PA, where the 18-year-old McKenna plays for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

He was charged with felony aggravated assault that “attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference,” misdemeanor simple assault, and two summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment, according to Onward State online.

McKenna faces up to 20 years in prison on the felony charge alone, if convicted. Whoa.

Gavin McKenna's case file from the Pennsylvania courts website.https://t.co/rGxZJecdGq pic.twitter.com/R5WCtjTVU3
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) February 4, 2026

The report indicates that the team had been at a downtown bar with friends and family following an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. In said incident, "McKenna allegedly assaulted an unidentified individual, leaving the victim with a broken jaw."

The Whitehorse, Yukon native is considered potentially the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft in June. He has 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points in 24 games this season for Penn St. Last year, with Medicine Hat in the WHL, McKenna racked up 129 points in 56 games with a +60 rating.

The NHL, as you might expect, has no comment.