US EditionPenn State Men's Hockey Lands Top Recruit Gavin McKenna
PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES, JUL 8 – Penn State attracted multiple first-round NHL draft picks and top Canadian Hockey League players, boosting its men's hockey program after reaching the Frozen Four for the first time.
- Projected No. 1 overall 2026 NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State, announced live on ESPN’s SportsCenter on July 8, marking the program’s highest-ranked recruit ever.
- NCAA lifted its ban on CHL players in November, enabling Penn State to attract top recruits like Gavin McKenna, who led the program to its first Frozen Four; this rule change significantly boosted the program's success.
- As a result, Smith is projected as a first-pair defenseman and Misa slots in as Penn State’s most dynamic center.
- Penn State's recruitment of top CHL talent, led by the highly ranked Gavin McKenna, reflects NCAA rule changes and program success that position it as a premier destination for elite junior players.
49 Articles
49 Articles
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2026 NHL Draft Star Reveals Reason Behind Penn State Decision
The New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer at the top of the 2025 NHL Draft in late June. His selection brought a ton of hope to the franchise. And it also started a clock for rebuilding teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks. Schaefer’s selection meant all eyes turned toward the 2026 NHL Draft and its top prospect, Gavin McKenna.McKenna dominated with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-25. He finish…
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