Yukoner Gavin McKenna, a top prospect in the 2026 NHL draft, is opting out of the major junior pathway and has instead committed to play National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey at Penn State University next season.
McKenna, 17, made the announcement during a June 8 appearance on ESPN鈥檚 SportsCentre.
"It was a super tough decision. Obviously there's a lot of great options out there. But me, my family and everyone that's part of my circle, we all decided the best spot for me next year would be Penn State University," McKenna said on ESPN.
Last season, McKenna put up 129 points with 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 games for the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Medicine Hat Tigers. His campaign included a 40-game point streak.
In November 2024, the NCAA lifted a decades-old ban, granting Canadian Hockey League players eligibility to compete at U.S. colleges. The rule change opened new doors for junior athletes balancing professional aspirations with academic opportunity.
Penn State, a Division I program since 2012, has emerged as a top NCAA hockey destination, according ESPN. The Penn State Nittany Lions recently landed Jackson Smith, their first-ever first-round NHL draft pick, selected 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
ESPN reported that McKenna received a six-figure offer from Penn State, reportedly the largest in college hockey history.
"Penn State is a great spot for me. I got a kind of a taste of what it's like there and got to bring along my dad, and we both thought it was a great spot for me," McKenna said.
McKenna swept nearly every major WHL honour during the 2024/25 season before earning the CHL鈥檚 top player award and a spot on its first-team all-star squad, cementing his status as junior hockey鈥檚 dominating force.
The NCAA provides an environment for McKenna to train and compete against older and stronger athletes outside the major junior pathway. The move is a physical step forward as he prepares for another season and what may potentially be his NHL rookie season after his time with Penn State.
Leaving the CHL system gives McKenna a taste of college life. Instead of billet homes and a 68-game structure, an NCAA environment offers a campus culture, academic balance and a development model.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
