Gavin Mckenna: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Top Prospect Looking to Chase Down Gavin McKenna

For a while now, Gavin McKenna has been the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and for good reason. He's one of the most-anticipated prospects of the decade, probably the most-anticipated behind only Connor Bedard, and put up video game numbers last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL.

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Meet Penn State Hockey's Star-Studded Recruiting Class

The most intriguing team in men's college hockey is Penn State, which turned a Frozen Four run into an elite recruiting class. The Nittany Lions signed nine players this offseason, includung Gavin McKenna, the consensus No.

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / July 29

NHL Draft Star Gavin McKenna Embracing Pressure

At just 17 years old, Gavin McKenna finds himself at the center of the hockey world. The Whitehorse, Yukon, native is widely seen as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, and for good reason.

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Pittsburgh Penguins News / Breakaway on SI / July 24

Penguins Keeping Eyes on Gavin McKenna

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to be one of the few teams at the bottom of the league for the 2025-26 season, putting them square in the running for the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / July 23

NHL News: Arbitration Dates, Kappo Kakko Re-signs and Porter Martone Heading to NCAA

Puck Pedia: Salary arbitration hearing dates. Arvid Soderblom – Chicago Blackhawks – July 28th Maxim Tsyplakov – New York Islanders – July 29th Dylan Samberg

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / July 22

Unexpected Teams Could Join Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes

Gavin McKenna has long been expected to be the fist overall pick at the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. There is still a full season to be played before the recent Penn State commit learns the fate of his NHL future.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / July 20

Success of CHL-to-NCAA Pipeline Hinges on Gavin McKenna

It was rumoured for months, but on July 8, 2025, it was finally confirmed that Gavin McKenna, the projected top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is heading to Penn State University.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / July 19

2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Way-Too-Early Top 32

With the 2025 NHL Draft in the books, it’s never too early to start looking towards next year’s crop of top prospects. The 2026 draft class is starting to shape up to be a really exciting one especially at the top of the draft board.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / ESPN / July 17

How Gavin McKenna's Penn State commitment shifted the NHL prospect landscape

The top prospect for the 2026 draft is headed to Happy Valley after starring in Western Canada.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Penn State Nittany Lions on SI / July 16

Gavin McKenna to Make Penn State Hockey Debut in October in Arizona

Gavin McKenna will make his anticipated Penn State hockey debut Oct. 3 in Arizona, where the Nittany Lions will kick off the 2025-26 season. Penn State men's hockey has announced its non-conference schedule, which includes an Oct.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Breakaway on SI / July 16

Penn State Coach Compares Gavin McKenna to Wayne Gretzky

Gavin McKenna may be one of the most-anticipated NHL prospects in recent memory, and his new coach is only adding fuel to the fire. Recently, Penn State head coach Guy Gradowsky made waves in the hockey world when he compared the projected No.

Pittsburgh Penguins News / Breakaway on SI / July 15

Penguins Destined to Draft Gavin McKenna

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins look like the only team not actively trying to improve. After three consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff absences, the Penguins continue to regress as a bottom-feeding team in the NHL.

NHL News / Minnesota Golden Gophers on SI / July 12

Study shows Gophers hockey is a serious moneymaker for U of M athletics

College hockey is in the national sports headlines after super prospect Gavin McKenna opted to play his final developmental year in the NCAA at Penn State, instead of remaining in Canada.

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Penn State Nittany Lions News / Flamesnation / July 11

NHL Notebook: 2026 NHL Draft top prospect Gavin McKenna will play for Penn State in 2025-26

The top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft is attending college. According to Gavin McKenna himself, the top prospect in next year’s draft will attend Penn State in 2025-26.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / July 11

A New Route to the NHL? Gavin McKenna’s NCAA Shift Sends a Message

Gavin McKenna—the highly touted Medicine Hat Tigers winger and projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft—just made a surprising decision. He’s leaving the Western Hockey League (WHL) to play NCAA hockey at Penn State University next season.

Philadelphia Flyers News / The Hockey Writers / July 11

Flyers Should Set Sights on Viggo Björck, Not Gavin McKenna for 2026 NHL Draft

Even hockey consumers who don’t pay attention to prospects already know Gavin McKenna’s name. The 17-year-old phenom has been recognized as the top prize of the 2026 NHL Draft for a long time now—he’s an immensely gifted talent.

NHL News / Pensburgh / July 11

Feeder systems to NHL experiencing massive changes with alteration to CHL transfer agreement

If it feels like everything is changing in the lower levels of hockey, it’s because it is The feeder leagues for hockey are currently undergoing a seismic shift.

NHL News / Michigan State Spartans on SI / July 10

Spartan Hockey Will be Just Fine

The Michigan State Spartans suffered a tough recruiting loss this week when it lost out on top 2026 NHL prospect Gavin McKenna, who made the decision to join the Penn State Nittany Lions for his collegiate career.

NHL News / The Only Colors / July 10

MSU Hockey News Part 2

Hobey Baker winner to NHL, Spartans just miss out on top recruit Steve had a hockey update last week about all of the Spartans selected in the 2025 NHL draft as well as MSU’s hopes to land the projected #1 pick in next year’s draft.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / July 10

Will Gavin McKenna dominate the NCAA?

When the NCAA announced it would welcome players from the CHL, the options for hockey’s best prospects instantly changed. Yet, no change will mean as

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / July 10

PSU Freshman Faces Sky High Expectations

Gavin McKenna is officially joining Penn State University this fall, marking the highest profile freshman to enter NCAA hockey in the history of the sport.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / July 9

Why Gavin McKenna’s move to the NCAA is great for the sport of hockey

Gavin McKenna, the projected 2026 No. 1 pick, announced Tuesday he is committing to play for Penn State University for the 2025-26 season, leaving the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

Penn State Nittany Lions News / Daily Faceoff / July 8

Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna commits to NCAA’s Penn State

One of the biggest names in junior hockey is heading to the States to hit the books. On Tuesday, it was officially announced that forward Gavin McKenna has committed to play for Penn State University, starting with the 2025-26 NCAA season.