The greatest prospect of his generation has decided on his college hockey home.
Gavin McKenna will be attending Penn State University, according to Elite Prospects insider Cam Robinson.
It’s a massive decision in the college hockey world, as McKenna chose the Nittany Lions over his other finalist, Michigan State.
McKenna had also considered Michigan and Denver before narrowing his list down.
It’s a groundbreaking decision in general, because players of McKenna’s ilk generally haven’t chosen to be NCAA hockey players before. It’s a bit like if Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby had chosen to play in the Big Ten the year before they were drafted.
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McKenna is currently the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The superstar forward has been playing with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
In 56 games for the Tigers in 2024-25, McKenna had 129 points, including 41 goals. He added 38 points (nine goals) in 16 playoff games.
The young Canadian could have lots of different reasons for choosing to go to college, including the potential benefits of NIL for earning income before even reaching the NHL ranks.
But regardless of his reasoning, it’s a massive decision.
Penn State will immediately have national championship expectations. McKenna will also be a bit easier to watch in the U.S. as teams potentially tank for the generational prospect.
And on campus in Happy Valley, he’s sure to be an instant sensation, a shooting star for a year before he goes off to bigger and better things.
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