The Penn State Nittany Lions had an unbelievable 2024-25 season for men's hockey. 

They advanced all the way to the Frozen Four and played the Boston Terriers in the national semifinals, but lost 3-1. The Terriers then played the Western Michigan Broncos for the NCAA Championship and lost 6-2. 

Despite the Nittany Lions' loss to the Terriers, they are set up to make another run at an NCAA Championship next season thanks to the commitment of Gavin McKenna. McKenna announced his commitment to the Nittany Lions during Tuesday's edition of SportsCenter on ESPN.

McKenna is the projected number one overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and could be the league's next generational player. He dominated the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers this past season, finishing with 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games. He was also fantastic in the playoffs, compiling nine goals and 38 points in 16 games.

He has nothing left to learn in junior hockey and is ready to take his talents to the next level. McKenna will get to team up with defensive prospect Jackson Smith, who just got drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2025 NHL Draft. 

Penguins fans will have plenty of opportunities to watch McKenna in person once the 2025-26 college hockey season starts. 

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Featured Image Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images