Felony charge against Penn State hockey star dropped

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Prosecutors have dropped the most serious assault charge against Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, considered a likely top pick in this year's NHL draft, but he remains accused of less serious offenses. The Centre County prosecutor said subsequent investigation showed the victim sustained two fractures to the same side of his jaw and no teeth were knocked out, leading them to drop the felony charge.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities of assault charges and the importance of thorough investigations, especially when high-profile student-athletes are involved. It also raises questions about the impact of this incident on McKenna's NHL draft prospects and his status with the Penn State hockey team.

The details

McKenna, an 18-year-old freshman center from Whitehorse, Yukon, was accused of injuring a man during an altercation last weekend, hours after Penn State lost 5-4 in overtime to No. 2 Michigan State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. The police complaint alleged the victim sustained injuries to both sides of his jaw and was missing a tooth, but the subsequent investigation showed there were two fractures to the same side of his jaw and no teeth were knocked out.

• The incident occurred on February 4, 2026, hours after Penn State's loss to Michigan State.
• The preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for March 11, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

McKenna's status for the upcoming game against the University of Michigan on February 13, 2026 is not yet known.