The hockey world has been patiently waiting in anticipation this offseason for the announcement of probable number 1 overall 2026 draft pick Gavin McKenna’s future playing destination. Well according to Jordan Schmaltz, that decision is pending.
The Whitehorse native will likely be heading to Penn State University next season. It has been known he would be making the college jump for quite some time, with the other top contender being Michigan State University. It looks like Gavin has gone with Penn State.
A big loss for Canadian junior hockey will be another’s gain. This will be huge news not only for Penn State, but the entire college hockey universe as Gavin McKenna is one of the most hyped up NHL prospects in recent memory. He has drawn comparisons to Blackhawks prodigy Connor Bedard, the two even sharing distant relations as cousins.
The former Medicine Hat Tiger of the WHL posted 41 goals and 88 assists for 129 points in 56 games last season during the team’s championship winning season. He amassed 9 goals and 29 assists for 38 points in 16 playoff games. The club did fall short to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup Final.
McKenna also appeared in the World Junior Championships for Team Canada this past season as a 17 year old, recording 1 goal in 5 games during the team’s disappointing run in the tourney.
Gavin went on a crazy run of 54 games in a row registering at least one point this past season. And keep in mind, this was all in a year where he wasn’t even eligible to be drafted. It will be fun to see what Gavin McKenna can do next season playing in the NCAA.
