Topline: Court filings lay out police allegations stemming from an incident that occurred the same day as Penn State’s outdoor hockey game.
Published: February 5, 2026 1:42 pm ET
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Gavin McKenna skates during a Penn State hockey game during the 2025-26 season (via Penn State Athletics).
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Penn State hockey forward Gavin McKenna, one of the most highly touted prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault and several other offenses stemming from an alleged incident in downtown State College, according to Pennsylvania court records.
McKenna, who turned 18 in December, was charged Wednesday by the State College Police Department with first-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct for engaging in a fight, according to court documents.
A source close to McKenna confirmed to The Athletic that he is the individual charged in the case. The charges were first reported by Onward State, a Penn State student publication.
According to a criminal complaint cited by WHTM, police were called to Mount Nittany Medical Center on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 31, in connection with an alleged assault that occurred near the Pugh Street Parking Garage. Officers encountered a man who was being treated for a broken jaw and was missing a tooth. Police said the man “could hardly speak” and later underwent surgery that required his jaw to be wired shut for approximately two weeks.
Two witnesses accompanying the victim told police that McKenna allegedly punched the man twice in the face following what they described as an exchange of words between the victim and McKenna’s group, according to the complaint cited by WHTM. The witnesses said they recognized McKenna as a member of the Penn State men’s hockey team and believed he was in the area for a team-related event.
Police said the alleged assault was captured on State College Borough street cameras, which reportedly show McKenna throwing two punches that struck the victim. Investigators also noted that security footage from Doggie’s Pub on South Pugh Street showed McKenna leaving the bar shortly before the incident, according to WHTM.
The alleged incident occurred the same day Penn State hosted Michigan State in an outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium that drew more than 74,000 fans. The Nittany Lions lost the game 5-4 in overtime. McKenna recorded a goal and two assists in that contest, according to ESPN.
Court records show McKenna was arraigned Wednesday evening and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. The case is assigned to Magisterial District Judge Casey McClain, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m., according to WHTM. Earlier reports from The Athletic noted that a preliminary hearing date had not yet been set at the time of publication.
Penn State acknowledged the charges but declined further comment. In a written statement provided to The Athletic and ESPN, John Hanna, Penn State athletics’ associate director of strategic communications, said: “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
State College police did not immediately respond to requests for additional information, according to The Athletic.
McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, is in his first season with the Nittany Lions after spending three years in the Western Hockey League, where he emerged as a potential No. 1 overall NHL draft pick. ESPN reported that McKenna is widely viewed as the consensus top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which is scheduled to begin June 26 in Buffalo, New York, and that NHL Central Scouting ranks him first among North American skaters. The NHL told ESPN it is aware of the charges but declined comment because McKenna is not currently a league player.
His move from Canadian junior hockey to Penn State followed a 2024 NCAA rule change that allowed Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the Division I level, ending a decades-old restriction. McKenna was among the first high-profile players to make the jump, and a source previously told ESPN that his name, image and likeness deal at Penn State was “in the ballpark” of $700,000.
On the ice, McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists this season, tying him for the team lead with 32 points through 24 games, according to ESPN. The Athletic reported that he was ranked No. 4 on its most recent list of NHL draft prospects after an uneven start to his NCAA career, despite entering the season as a potential top overall pick.
As of late Wednesday, McKenna remained listed on Penn State’s roster, according to WHTM. Penn State is scheduled to play at Michigan on Feb. 13, with its next home game set for Feb. 20 against Ohio State.
Charges filed against Gavin McKenna, according to Pennsylvania court records:
- F1 Aggravated Assault — Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference
- M2 Simple Assault
- S Harassment — Subjecting another person to physical contact
- S Disorderly Conduct — Engaging in fighting
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Court Records Detail Alleged Felony Assault Involving Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna
Court filings lay out police allegations stemming from an incident that occurred the same day as Penn State’s outdoor hockey game.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 5, 2026 1:42 pm ET
Gavin McKenna skates during a Penn State hockey game during the 2025-26 season (via Penn State Athletics).
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Penn State hockey forward Gavin McKenna, one of the most highly touted prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault and several other offenses stemming from an alleged incident in downtown State College, according to Pennsylvania court records.
McKenna, who turned 18 in December, was charged Wednesday by the State College Police Department with first-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct for engaging in a fight, according to court documents.
A source close to McKenna confirmed to The Athletic that he is the individual charged in the case. The charges were first reported by Onward State, a Penn State student publication.
According to a criminal complaint cited by WHTM, police were called to Mount Nittany Medical Center on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 31, in connection with an alleged assault that occurred near the Pugh Street Parking Garage. Officers encountered a man who was being treated for a broken jaw and was missing a tooth. Police said the man “could hardly speak” and later underwent surgery that required his jaw to be wired shut for approximately two weeks.
Two witnesses accompanying the victim told police that McKenna allegedly punched the man twice in the face following what they described as an exchange of words between the victim and McKenna’s group, according to the complaint cited by WHTM. The witnesses said they recognized McKenna as a member of the Penn State men’s hockey team and believed he was in the area for a team-related event.
Police said the alleged assault was captured on State College Borough street cameras, which reportedly show McKenna throwing two punches that struck the victim. Investigators also noted that security footage from Doggie’s Pub on South Pugh Street showed McKenna leaving the bar shortly before the incident, according to WHTM.
The alleged incident occurred the same day Penn State hosted Michigan State in an outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium that drew more than 74,000 fans. The Nittany Lions lost the game 5-4 in overtime. McKenna recorded a goal and two assists in that contest, according to ESPN.
Court records show McKenna was arraigned Wednesday evening and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. The case is assigned to Magisterial District Judge Casey McClain, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m., according to WHTM. Earlier reports from The Athletic noted that a preliminary hearing date had not yet been set at the time of publication.
Penn State acknowledged the charges but declined further comment. In a written statement provided to The Athletic and ESPN, John Hanna, Penn State athletics’ associate director of strategic communications, said: “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
State College police did not immediately respond to requests for additional information, according to The Athletic.
McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, is in his first season with the Nittany Lions after spending three years in the Western Hockey League, where he emerged as a potential No. 1 overall NHL draft pick. ESPN reported that McKenna is widely viewed as the consensus top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which is scheduled to begin June 26 in Buffalo, New York, and that NHL Central Scouting ranks him first among North American skaters. The NHL told ESPN it is aware of the charges but declined comment because McKenna is not currently a league player.
His move from Canadian junior hockey to Penn State followed a 2024 NCAA rule change that allowed Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the Division I level, ending a decades-old restriction. McKenna was among the first high-profile players to make the jump, and a source previously told ESPN that his name, image and likeness deal at Penn State was “in the ballpark” of $700,000.
On the ice, McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists this season, tying him for the team lead with 32 points through 24 games, according to ESPN. The Athletic reported that he was ranked No. 4 on its most recent list of NHL draft prospects after an uneven start to his NCAA career, despite entering the season as a potential top overall pick.
As of late Wednesday, McKenna remained listed on Penn State’s roster, according to WHTM. Penn State is scheduled to play at Michigan on Feb. 13, with its next home game set for Feb. 20 against Ohio State.
Charges filed against Gavin McKenna, according to Pennsylvania court records:
- F1 Aggravated Assault — Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference
- M2 Simple Assault
- S Harassment — Subjecting another person to physical contact
- S Disorderly Conduct — Engaging in fighting
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Court Records Detail Alleged Felony Assault Involving Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna
Court filings lay out police allegations stemming from an incident that occurred the same day as Penn State’s outdoor hockey game.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 5, 2026 1:42 pm ET
Gavin McKenna skates during a Penn State hockey game during the 2025-26 season (via Penn State Athletics).
STATE COLLEGE, PA — Penn State hockey forward Gavin McKenna, one of the most highly touted prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault and several other offenses stemming from an alleged incident in downtown State College, according to Pennsylvania court records.
McKenna, who turned 18 in December, was charged Wednesday by the State College Police Department with first-degree felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct for engaging in a fight, according to court documents.
A source close to McKenna confirmed to The Athletic that he is the individual charged in the case. The charges were first reported by Onward State, a Penn State student publication.
According to a criminal complaint cited by WHTM, police were called to Mount Nittany Medical Center on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 31, in connection with an alleged assault that occurred near the Pugh Street Parking Garage. Officers encountered a man who was being treated for a broken jaw and was missing a tooth. Police said the man “could hardly speak” and later underwent surgery that required his jaw to be wired shut for approximately two weeks.
Two witnesses accompanying the victim told police that McKenna allegedly punched the man twice in the face following what they described as an exchange of words between the victim and McKenna’s group, according to the complaint cited by WHTM. The witnesses said they recognized McKenna as a member of the Penn State men’s hockey team and believed he was in the area for a team-related event.
Police said the alleged assault was captured on State College Borough street cameras, which reportedly show McKenna throwing two punches that struck the victim. Investigators also noted that security footage from Doggie’s Pub on South Pugh Street showed McKenna leaving the bar shortly before the incident, according to WHTM.
The alleged incident occurred the same day Penn State hosted Michigan State in an outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium that drew more than 74,000 fans. The Nittany Lions lost the game 5-4 in overtime. McKenna recorded a goal and two assists in that contest, according to ESPN.
Court records show McKenna was arraigned Wednesday evening and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. The case is assigned to Magisterial District Judge Casey McClain, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m., according to WHTM. Earlier reports from The Athletic noted that a preliminary hearing date had not yet been set at the time of publication.
Penn State acknowledged the charges but declined further comment. In a written statement provided to The Athletic and ESPN, John Hanna, Penn State athletics’ associate director of strategic communications, said: “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
State College police did not immediately respond to requests for additional information, according to The Athletic.
McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, is in his first season with the Nittany Lions after spending three years in the Western Hockey League, where he emerged as a potential No. 1 overall NHL draft pick. ESPN reported that McKenna is widely viewed as the consensus top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which is scheduled to begin June 26 in Buffalo, New York, and that NHL Central Scouting ranks him first among North American skaters. The NHL told ESPN it is aware of the charges but declined comment because McKenna is not currently a league player.
His move from Canadian junior hockey to Penn State followed a 2024 NCAA rule change that allowed Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the Division I level, ending a decades-old restriction. McKenna was among the first high-profile players to make the jump, and a source previously told ESPN that his name, image and likeness deal at Penn State was “in the ballpark” of $700,000.
On the ice, McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists this season, tying him for the team lead with 32 points through 24 games, according to ESPN. The Athletic reported that he was ranked No. 4 on its most recent list of NHL draft prospects after an uneven start to his NCAA career, despite entering the season as a potential top overall pick.
As of late Wednesday, McKenna remained listed on Penn State’s roster, according to WHTM. Penn State is scheduled to play at Michigan on Feb. 13, with its next home game set for Feb. 20 against Ohio State.
Charges filed against Gavin McKenna, according to Pennsylvania court records:
- F1 Aggravated Assault — Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference
- M2 Simple Assault
- S Harassment — Subjecting another person to physical contact
- S Disorderly Conduct — Engaging in fighting
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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