Gavin McKenna (Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)

Gavin McKenna’s Assault Charge Case Takes Shocking Twist

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Alex Hoegler | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 6:58 PM ET

Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna has received good news on his aggravated assault case.

On Wednesday, news emerged that Gavin McKenna was hit with multiple charges after an incident at a pub in State College, Pennsylvania, last Saturday. The likely No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft was charged with felony aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.

According to police, McKenna punched another man in the face, leaving him with a broken jaw that had to be wired shut.

In a significant turn of events, prosecutors have decided to drop the felony aggravated assault charge against McKenna, according to WJAC. However, the Penn State star is still facing the aforementioned charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct:

“Prosecutors in Centre County say they will be withdrawing the felony aggravated assault charge against Penn State’s star hockey player Gavin McKenna…

Investigators allege that the assault stemmed from an “exchange of words” between the victim’s group and the people who McKenna was with…

Upon further review of video evidence, prosecutors believe that McKenna “did not act with the intent to cause serious bodily harm nor did he recklessly act with extreme indifference to the value of human life.”

The felony aggravated assault charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. McKenna still has three other charges to work through. But, having the felony one dropped is nonetheless a major victory for him.

Gavin McKenna Is The Favorite To Go No. 1 In The 2026 NHL Draft

Gavin McKenna (Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)

Before the start of the 2025-26 campaign, McKenna was the overwhelming front-runner to go first overall in the NHL Draft. In his final season for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, McKenna had 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games.

But McKenna got off to a sluggish start in at Penn State. He has 32 points in 24 games, obviously far off the production we saw north of the border. Still, a recent surge has helped him retain his stake as the likely No. 1 pick.

Star Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg has, however, closed the gap with McKenna. The latter’s former world juniors teammate, defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, is also making a compelling case to be the No. 1 pick. Still, there’s plenty of hockey left, and the consensus rankings can drastically change in the coming months.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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