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Penn StateYear: 2026See School Profile Page

Freshman, Forward, Whitehorse, Yukon

During his collegiate hockey career at Penn State University during the 2025–26 season, Gavin McKenna established himself as one of college hockey’s most dynamic offensive talents. In his freshman campaign with the Nittany Lions, McKenna dazzled with his exceptional playmaking ability, capturing the Big Ten scoring title with 38 points in 24 conference games and finishing tied for fourth nationally in total points while ranking second in assists. His brilliant performance earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the Big Ten Scoring Champion award, All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection, and AHCA West Second Team All-American honors. Beyond his on-ice achievements, McKenna actively participated in community engagement initiatives during his collegiate tenure, including:

  • Youth Hockey Clinics: Volunteering with youth hockey development programs and skills clinics in the State College area.
  • Penn State Student-Athlete Outreach: Participating in community events and visits supported by the Penn State Athletics Department.
  • Charitable Community Initiatives: Engaging with local youth organizations and charitable drives throughout the campus community.
Prior to entering college, McKenna put together a legendary junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers. After becoming the first Yukon-born player selected first overall in the WHL Bantam Draft, he recorded a dominant 97-point campaign in 2023–24 to win WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honors, followed by a remarkable 129-point season in 2024–25 where he led the Tigers to an Ed Chynoweth Cup WHL Championship and earned the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award. He also represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship and competing at the 2026 World Junior Championship. In June 2026, McKenna made history when he was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, becoming Penn State's first-ever first-round and No. 1 overall pick.

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Career Stats

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