The hockey world's biggest young talent, Gavin McKenna, has already become a major part of the Penn State hockey programme after netting his first goal and a handful of assists in their season opener against the ASU Sun Devils. McKenna, who joined the Nittany Lions back in July, is the highest anticipated prospect headed into the 2026 NHL draft, but the impact he is already having on the college hockey scene is something out of the ordinary.
McKenna who was bound to draw mass NHL scout attention was believed to have had 57 NHL scouts watching him during his debut against the Sun Devils, highlighting how highly he is thought of as a prospect. Not only is it the mass amount of scouts which he is drawing the attention of, but already becoming a fan favourite, and is probably already on track to becoming a Hobey Baker favourite.
Coming over from the WHL was never going to be easy, but that wasn't an obstacle for McKenna, scoring his first goal and getting a handful of assists during his first two games. But one thing that has instantly stood out about McKenna, is his swagger. We haven't really seen much of McKenna's personality on the ice during his time with the Medicine Hat Tigers, but one thing that is for sure is he's good, and he knows it. Heading into the college hockey scene there were questions regarding the increased level of play, but McKenna proved all the doubters wrong, and he made sure to show it.
Throwing up the 'forks down' gesture following their double over the Sun Devils is already showing how much of a menace McKenna is going to become, and not only that, but how the NCAA is now all about him. They have had their star is the past, but this is a whole other level, and he knows it.
Getting their first two games of the season streamed on the NHL Network was definitely a way to make a statement for Penn State, and for McKenna, this season is all about him. With heavy media coverage, camera's on him every night, and expectations through the roof, Gavin McKenna's impact on NCAA hockey is already massive, and college hockey will never have more eyes on it than it will this season.