Report: Penn State's Gavin McKenna broke man's jaw

Field Level MediaField Level Media|published: Thu 5th February, 19:21 2026
Syndication: Hanover Evening SunPenn State's Gavin McKenna, center, arrives with the team for a Big Ten hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on January 31, 2026, in State College.

When highly regarded NHL prospect Gavin McKenna was charged with felony assault Wednesday, it was reportedly for breaking a man's jaw and knocking out his tooth with a pair of punches.

According to The Athletic, which reviewed police reports and court documents, the 18-year-old Penn State freshman was involved in an altercation Saturday night shortly after leaving Doggie's Pub -- a College Avenue bar across the street from Penn State's campus.

McKenna and his group encountered the alleged victim and his group at a nearby parking garage. After an "exchange of words," McKenna punched the man twice in the face. The man was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center, where a local policeman spoke to the man and his friends.


In addition to being charged with felony aggravated assault, which can lead to as much as a 20-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine, McKenna has been cited for a misdemeanor assault charge along with summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

McKenna, who hails from the Canadian town of Whitehorse, Yukon, was regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the upcoming NHL draft when he made the decision to leave the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers and enroll at Penn State last fall.

The 6-foot, 170-pound wing has amassed 11 goals, 21 assists and 34 penalty minutes in 24 games for the Nittany Lions, who rank as the nation's No. 6 team per USCHO.com. McKenna paces the squad in assists and shares the team lead in points.

--Field Level Media

home report-penn-states-gavin-mckenna-broke-mans-jaw