Penn State’s Gavin McKenna won’t face felony charge for alleged assault

The recent legal troubles of Penn State hockey freshman Gavin McKenna have been making headlines, as the felony aggravated assault charge against him was dropped by Centre County prosecutors. McKenna, who was once projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, was arrested after allegedly punching a 21-year-old man in the face twice in State College. While the felony charge was dropped, McKenna still faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, as well as offenses for harassment and disorderly conduct.

According to witnesses, the altercation occurred after McKenna and the other male involved exchanged words, leading to a physical confrontation. The incident took place shortly after Penn State’s outdoor game against Michigan State and resulted in the victim sustaining a broken jaw that required surgery. McKenna was released from jail on $20,000 bail following his arrest.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, prosecutors determined that McKenna did not intend to cause serious bodily harm or act recklessly with extreme indifference to human life. As a result, the felony charge was withdrawn, sparing McKenna from facing up to 20 years in jail and/or a $25,000 fine under Pennsylvania law.

While the legal aspect of the situation has been resolved, it remains to be seen if McKenna will face any disciplinary action from Penn State. The Nittany Lions have a game scheduled for February 13, and it is unclear if McKenna will be available to play. Prior to the altercation, McKenna had been a standout player for Penn State, tallying 32 points in 24 games with 11 goals and 21 assists. He also represented Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship and played three seasons for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

Overall, the resolution of the felony charge against McKenna brings some clarity to a situation that had cast a shadow over his promising hockey career. As he navigates the aftermath of this incident, McKenna will have the opportunity to focus on his performance on the ice and move forward from this challenging chapter.