gavin mckenna felony: Penn State’s Gavin McKenna facing felony charges—here’s what led to felony assault charges for the hockey star

Penn State freshman hockey player Gavin McKenna is facing serious legal trouble following an alleged incident in downtown State College. The highly-touted forward, who is considered one of the top candidates for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, was arrested after a night out following a major college hockey event over the weekend.

Court records show McKenna was charged with aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault and two felonies stemming from the same incident.

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What are the charges against Gavin McKenna?

McKenna faces a first-degree felony aggravated assault charge, which carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine under Pennsylvania law, according to court documents reviewed by The Post. He is also charged with misdemeanor simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to a report by The New York Post.

The alleged incident occurred Saturday night following Penn State’s outdoor game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium. Student-run Onward State reported that McKenna claimed he attacked someone and suffered a broken jaw.

How has Penn State responded so far?

A spokesperson for Penn State Athletics confirmed that the university was aware of the situation, saying it was “aware that charges have been made.” The spokesman added: “However, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not be commenting further.” According to a report by The New York Post, no preliminary hearing has been scheduled, although Magistrate District Judge Casey McClain has been assigned to the case.

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What does this mean for McKenna’s season and profile?

The incident occurred during a standout freshman campaign. McKenna scored Penn State’s second goal in a 5–4 overtime loss to Michigan State that same night. He currently leads the Nittany Lions with 32 points in 24 games.

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FAQ

When did the alleged incident occur?
The incident reportedly occurred on January 31 following Penn State’s outdoor game against Michigan State.

Has a hearing been scheduled?
No preliminary hearing was held, according to online court records.