Gavin McKenna faces three charges after a reported and alleged altercation.
Update: the District Attorney's Office in Pennsylvania withdrew a felony charge of aggravated assault against NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna on Friday.
After the complainant initially alleged he was missing a tooth and had a fracture on both sides of his jaw, a follow-up by State College Police determined the complainant's jaw had two fractures on one side of his face and is not missing a tooth.
The updated story follows.
Top 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna is facing three charges, per Onward State, the Penn State student newspaper.
McKenna, a forward for Penn State's men's hockey team, was allegedly involved in an altercation on Saturday in State College, Penn. Charges were filed in Center County, Penn., on Wednesday. McKenna held a preliminary arraignment with district judge Casey M. McClain on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. and was released on $20,000 unsecured bail.
McKenna, an 18-year-old Canadian, faces the following charges, according to the court docket sheet:
- Simple assault (second-degree misdemeanor)
- Harassment - subject other to physical contact (summary offense)
- Disorderly conduct engage in fighting (summary offense)
Onward State reported that the team had been at a downtown bar with friends and family following Penn State's outdoor game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. After leaving the bar, there was reportedly an exchange of words between McKenna's group of friends and family and another group. During the incident, McKenna allegedly punched an unidentified individual twice to the right side of their face.
"It is alleged that McKenna struck a 21-year-old male in the face during the altercation resulting in facial injuries requiring corrective surgery," State College Police Department wrote in a news release.
Officers were dispatched to Mount Nittany Medical Center on Jan. 31 to speak with the patient, who had difficulty speaking, Onward State reported after obtaining an affidavit of probable cause. His jaw will be wired shut for about two weeks.
The allegations and charges have not been proven in court. The case awaits a preliminary hearing on Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m., and the investigation is ongoing.
Penn State's men's hockey program said in a statement to ESPN that it's aware that charges were filed but will not comment further on the ongoing legal matter. McKenna has not yet commented on the reports.
McKenna left the WHL for the NCAA this season, featuring in 24 games, including Saturday's outdoor game against Michigan State. In that contest, he recorded a goal and two assists, but the Nittany Lions lost 5-4 in overtime.
The Whitehorse, Yukon, native has 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points at the college level. He's also coming off the World Junior Championship for Team Canada, registering four goals and 14 points in seven contests.
This is a developing story.
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