Prosecutors withdraw felony assault charge against Gavin McKenna

Field Level Media|published: Fri 6th February, 15:33 2026

Jan 31, 2026; State College, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) looks to shoot the puck during the first period against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Pennsylvania prosecutors on Friday withdrew a felony aggravated assault charge against Penn State freshman forward Gavin McKenna, a consensus top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old Canadian still faces charges of misdemeanor assault and summary harassment and disorderly conduct for allegedly breaking a man's jaw with two punches last Saturday.

Prosecutors and local police determined video evidence "does not support a conclusion that Gavin McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or with reckless indifference to the value of human life," the Centre County, Pa., district attorney's office said in a statement.

Police allege McKenna punched the man outside a State College, Pa., bar during an altercation that followed Penn State's 5-4 overtime loss to visiting Michigan State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.

The complainant's jaw was fractured in two places and he is recovering from surgery, the prosecutors' statement said. They clarified he is not missing a tooth, contradicting the initial criminal complaint against McKenna.

McKenna has 11 goals and 32 points in 26 games for the Nittany Lions, including a goal and two assists in the outdoor defeat to Michigan State. Penn State's next games come at Michigan on Feb. 13-14.

Last season, McKenna scored 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games for the Western Hockey League champion Medicine Hat Tigers.

He was among the first Canadian major junior players to take advantage of a 2024 ruling that allowed them to leave for college hockey. According to an ESPN report, McKenna is making an estimated $700,000 in NIL money.

--Field Level Media