According to multiple reports, Gavin McKenna — the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft — is expected to commit to Penn State University for the 2025-26 season. Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects first broke the news, which was later confirmed by Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek.
Consider one of the best prospects in recent memory, McKenna is undoubtedly the biggest get in Penn State program history and arguably the biggest prospect to commit to play in the NCAA. While it was previously believed that McKenna would commit to playing collegiately, it was unknown which program he would select. On his 32 Thoughts podcast, host Elliotte Friedman previously noted that McKenna completed interviews with Penn State, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Denver. In the end, it appears the upstart Penn State program won the sweepstakes for hockey’s most coveted prospect.
Although Penn State didn’t rejoin the NCAA until 2012, the program has made a meteoric rise in success, popularity, and its ability to attract top-end prospects. The Nittany Lions went 22-14-4 last season, but went on a tear to reach the school’s first-ever Frozen Four. Recent commits to the program include newly drafted prospects Jackson Smith and Luke Misa. Luke’s brother, Michael Misa, the 2025 second overall pick, could also join the program if he doesn’t make the San Jose Sharks out of training camp.
McKenna’s status as a surefire first overall pick is backed by his WHL stats from last season. In 56 games last season for the Medicine Hat Tigers, McKenna produced 41 goals and 129 points, and a plus-60 rating. He added another nine goals and 38 points in 16 postseason contests en route to a league championship. His 2.304 points per game were the third-highest total for a 17-year-old in league history, trailing only Conor Bedard (2022-23) and Rob Brown (1985-86). McKenna scored 244 points in 133 WHL games.
To put McKenna’s season into perspective, Connor McDavid scored 28 goals and 99 points in 56 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters in his age-17 season, with another four goals and 19 points in 14 postseason games.
Finally, Terry Pegula puts together a good hockey team.
Good, now the penguins can monitor their future top prospect 🤪
The fix is in. With Jarry, Graves, and Karlsson playing a full season the Pens will for sure get a lottery pick; and Lemieux will pull some strings to make sure ping pong balls cooperate. Pens will be back on top in no time.
I wish I could call you a conspiracy theory dude but bookmark this comment and it will be 100% correct come draft time.
Fingers crossed
Dubas would probably trip and fall on the way up to the podium, hit his head, and pick the wrong guy.
Happy Valley is quite happy right about now. :)
Penn State have added serious talent in recent months.
Colleges pay athletes now, right? I’m surprised they didn’t mention that.
I don’t think they pay them, but they are eligible to profit off their likeness etc. so endorsements and the like
Google « do colleges pay athletes »
I think if Calgary plays their cards right they will end up with McKenna, but knowing Bettman, his chef’s kiss would be blessing the Rangers with the pick.
Gary Bettman works for all of NHL ownership. Why would 31 owners agree to help the Rangers in the draft?
I guess I should have said Phoenix.
I’ll entertain the question. The NHL does better as a whole when the major markets succeed. This is true for most NA sports as we rapidly accelerate towards tv revenue over ticket admission. Why would the NBA owners be okay w a lopsided Luka trade? The NBA brand is inherently stronger when a star is on a major market. All teams win from this financially. Dallas got their ridiculous draft pick, and a small market team won the championship. Though we just saw players lose out on some salary because two small markets faced each other in the playoffs.
The question should be: why wouldn’t the owners agree to help the Rangers?
So a bunch of owners in major markets will conspire to help another team in a major market. Quite a theory you are working with. Must be the reason that Buffalo has had a couple top picks in the last decade.
Again, I ask, why wouldn’t they do it? Especially if it’s financially beneficial to all parties.
Please explain how 31 NHL owners will financially benefit by giving the Rangers the first pick in the draft. Just a guess that the teams at the bottom of the standings would rather have a shot at a player that could potentially help them on the ice.
I explained the financial benefits. TV deals are given out based on strength of brand. A top player playing in NYC would boost the brand. It would be ignorant to think there isn’t draft manipulation. I’m merely suggesting there’s a possibility.
if the Hawks win the lottery, theyll get Bedard’s cousin :)
Sucks for WHL fans. Hope it turns out for him…
It’s the best thing for him. He has absolutely nothing left to prove in junior.
when i saw Penn state it started making me remember that Foster home episode of South Park lol
Gadowsky as coach will not hurt his game any either.
CHL needs to figure out compensation to make it competitive for top players to stick with it.
Pay the moms. They deserve it most.