Penn State Hockey Star Faces Reduced Charges

Prosecutors drop most serious assault charge against Gavin McKenna

Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:47pm

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Prosecutors have dropped the most serious assault charge against Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, a likely top pick in this year's NHL draft. McKenna remains accused of less serious offenses, including misdemeanor simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct, following an altercation last weekend.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of prosecuting high-profile student-athletes, as well as the complexities of assault charges and the importance of video evidence in determining the appropriate charges.

The details

The Centre County prosecutor said the aggravated assault charge would have required proof that McKenna acted with the intention of causing serious injury or showed an extreme indifference to the value of human life. However, the subsequent investigation showed the victim sustained two fractures to the same side of his jaw and did not lose any teeth, contrary to the initial police complaint.

  • The incident occurred hours after Penn State lost to No. 2 Michigan State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
  • The preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for March 11.

The players

Gavin McKenna

A freshman center from Whitehorse, Yukon, and a likely top pick in this year's NHL draft.

Bernie Cantorna

The Centre County District Attorney who said video evidence led him and police to drop the felony charge.

Jason Dunkle

McKenna's lawyer.

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What they’re saying

“Video evidence led me and police to drop the felony charge.”

— Bernie Cantorna, Centre County District Attorney (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The preliminary hearing for the remaining charges against McKenna has been rescheduled for March 11.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the use of video evidence in determining appropriate charges, especially when dealing with high-profile student-athletes. It also raises questions about the challenges of prosecuting assault cases and the potential for bias in the justice system.