Penn State freshman sensation Gavin McKenna officially declared for the 2026 NHL Draft as his rapid rise toward becoming the projected No. 1 overall pick announced at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine.
While the news was expected, McKenna described his experience at Penn State as a “full ride.”
McKenna has been seen as a franchise cornerstone throughout his rise from youth to junior hockey where he won the David Branch Player of the Year as the top player in the CHL.
After being named to Team Canada and becoming the first Nittany Lion to be named to an IIHF World Championship roster, McKenna opted out the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship for Team Canada to focus on the NHL Combine and his summer training.
McKenna’s freshman season was one of the most dominant campaigns in Penn State history. The rookie shattered nine program records while becoming just the third Nittany Lion to record 50 points in a season. He finished with 51 points on 15 goals and a program-record 36 assists.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Nationally, McKenna finished tied for fifth in Division I scoring while his 36 assists ranked second in the country. His 1.46 points-per-game average led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally.
The freshman phenom earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and unanimously selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He also became Penn State’s second Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist and just the fourth All-American in program history.
The 2026 NHL Draft will take place June 26 at KeyBank Center, where the Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold the first overall selection.
