- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
State College Today
By the People, for the People
Top Prospect Gavin McKenna to Resume Play for Penn State
McKenna expected to return to the ice for the Nittany Lions against No. 2 Michigan Wolverines
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Penn State's Gavin McKenna, a top 2026 NHL Draft prospect, is set to return to the ice for the Nittany Lions after the Centre County District Attorney dropped a felony aggravated assault charge against him. McKenna will play in upcoming games against the No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines on February 13 and 14.
Why it matters
McKenna is considered one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, and his return to play is significant for Penn State's hockey program and his draft prospects. The dropped felony charge also removes a major legal issue that had threatened his playing status.
The details
McKenna was originally charged with felony aggravated assault and other counts on February 4, following an incident in downtown State College on January 31. However, the Centre County District Attorney has since dropped the felony charge after reviewing video footage, stating that it did not support the conclusion that McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury. McKenna remains charged with a misdemeanor count of simple assault and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct.
- McKenna was originally charged on February 4, 2026.
- The felony aggravated assault charge was dropped on February 6, 2026.
- McKenna's first court appearance is now set for March 11, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
The players
Gavin McKenna
A top 2026 NHL Draft prospect and forward for the Penn State Nittany Lions hockey team.
Guy Gadowsky
The head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions hockey team.
Bernie Cantorna
The Centre County District Attorney who dropped the felony aggravated assault charge against Gavin McKenna.
Michigan Wolverines
The No. 2 ranked NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Division I team that Penn State will play against on February 13 and 14.
What they’re saying
“Both our office and the state college policy department have reviewed video of this incident. Viewing that video, we have reached the conclusion it does not support the felony charge of aggravated assault. Accordingly, our office will be moving to withdraw the aggravated assault charge with the district justice and corrected the record to accurately depict the injury suffered. Simply put, a review of the video evidence does not support a conclusion that Gavin McKenna acted with the specific intent to cause serious bodily injury, nor that he acted with reckless indifference to the value of human life.”
— Bernie Cantorna, Centre County District Attorney (Local news outlet)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on March 11 whether to allow McKenna out on bail for the remaining misdemeanor and summary charges.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of due process and the careful review of evidence, as the initial felony charge against a top NHL prospect was ultimately dropped due to a lack of supporting video footage. McKenna's return to play will be closely watched by NHL scouts as he aims to solidify his status as a potential first overall draft pick.
