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Penn State Erie Today
By the People, for the People
NCAA Notebook: McKenna Among Tim Taylor Award Candidates
Martone, Poirier, Verhoeff, Zellers also in consideration as top 1st-year collegiate player
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
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The Tim Taylor Award, voted as the best first-year player in NCAA men's hockey, has been won by some of the biggest stars in the NHL, including Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, and Macklin Celebrini. This season, Penn State forward Gavin McKenna was the odds-on favorite for the award, but other contenders have emerged and the race looks to be wide open.
Why it matters
The Tim Taylor Award is a prestigious honor that has recognized many future NHL stars. Winning this award can be a springboard for a player's professional career, so the competition to earn this recognition is fierce among the top first-year collegiate players.
The details
In addition to McKenna, other players in consideration for the Tim Taylor Award include Porter Martone of Michigan State, Justin Poirier of Maine, Keaton Verhoeff of North Dakota, and Will Zellers of North Dakota. Each of these players has put up impressive stats and performances in their debut NCAA seasons.
- The Tim Taylor Award has been given out since 2007.
- McKenna was the odds-on favorite for the award when the season opened in October 2025.
The players
Gavin McKenna
A forward for Penn State who has 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 24 games this season and is ranked No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Porter Martone
A physical forward for Michigan State who has 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists) in 29 games this season and was captain for Canada's bronze medal team at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Justin Poirier
A forward for Maine who has 29 points (18 goals, 11 assists) in 27 games this season and was taken by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Keaton Verhoeff
A two-way defenseman for North Dakota who has 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in 24 games this season and is ranked No. 2 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Will Zellers
A forward for North Dakota who has 23 points (14 goals, 9 assists) in 27 games this season and led the United States in scoring at the 2026 World Juniors with 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists) in 5 games.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The race for the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA's top first-year player is wide open, with several talented freshmen making strong cases for the prestigious honor. Whichever player ultimately wins will be joining the ranks of some of hockey's biggest stars who have claimed the award in the past.
