Gavin McKenna, likely top pick of '26, commits to Penn State - ESPN

Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL draft, is committing to Penn State University, he announced Tuesday.

McKenna, 17, is considered the highest profile recruit in NCAA hockey history. He made his decision after taking final visits to Penn State and Michigan State last weekend.

«After two unforgettable seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers I'm very excited to continue my hockey career at Penn State,» McKenna told ESPN. «I feel this is the next step in my development to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NHL and I am excited to get to Happy Valley. I'm very appreciative for all the support I've received so far, especially to my family who has been with me through it all.»

NHL talent evaluators have long projected McKenna, a 6-foot winger, to be a star — in the mold of recent No. 1 picks Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. One NHL executive who has scouted McKenna extensively told ESPN the winger's skill set is similar to Patrick Kane's, the player McKenna said he grew up idolizing.

McKenna scored 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games — including a 40-game points streak — for the Hat Tigers last season as he led his team to its first WHL title since 2007 and a trip to the Memorial Cup final against the London Knights.

McKenna was the 2024 CHL Player of the Year, becoming the third-youngest player to win the award, behind only Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.

A native of Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna is a member of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation.

McKenna's commitment is a seismic move for college hockey, and another indicator of a new long-term trend: a November rule change allowed CHL players to compete in the NCAA next season for the first time. Previously, CHL players were barred because