Top 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Gavin McKenna Commits to Penn State

It’s been less than two weeks since the 2025 NHL Draft, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a lack of interest in the 2026 class. In particular, there’s plenty of interest around the likely first overall pick.

Gavin McKenna, the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has committed to Penn State University, according to reports from Jordan Schmaltz and Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson.

McKenna was granted exceptional status by BC Hockey and Hockey Alberta. He played in 16 WHL games in 2022-23 at age 15, scoring four goals and 18 points. In 2023-24, he had 34 goals and 97 points in 61 games. He also had 10 goals and 20 points in seven games at the World Junior Championships U-18 tournament for Team Canada.

Last season, McKenna had 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games. He also scored one goal in five games as a member of Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, playing alongside top prospects from the 2023, 2024, and eventually 2025 NHL Draft, including Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager, Flyers draft picks Oliver Bonk and Jett Luchanko, and 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, and Flyers 2025 first-round selection Porter Martone.

McKenna is a 6’0”, 165-pound forward, primarily playing left wing. The 17-year-old's exceptional 2024-25 season helped guide the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Memorial Cup, representing the WHL. In the playoffs, McKenna had nine goals and 38 points in 16 games. He added three goals and six points in four games at the Memorial Cup.

McKenna joins Penn State’s program that just reached its first Frozen Four in 2025. They fell to Boston University in the national semi-finals.

Penn State has already landed some big names from the CHL. Defenseman and 2025 first-round pick Jackson Smith has already announced his commitment to Penn State, and forward Luke Misa, a teammate of Martone with the Brampton Steelheads, has committed to Penn State as well. There is also speculation that Martone could play in the NCAA next season and join Penn State.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.