© Barry Reeger/Imagn
Just two weeks ago, it looked as if Gavin McKenna’s college hockey career may have come to a premature end. The Penn State star and presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft was arrested and faced felony assault charges after an incident outside of a local bar.
Those charges were later dropped after police deemed that the evidence did not support the initial allegations against him.
McKenna did not miss a game for the Nittany Lions, and on Friday night against Ohio State, he reminded the world why he’s considered a potential generational prospect.
The freshman from Canada put up a jaw-dropping eight points in an 11-4 victory over the Buckeyes, including one goal a remarkable seven assists.
🏒 Gavin McKenna sets a Penn State men’s hockey program record with 8 points in tonight’s 11-4 win over Ohio State:
• 1 goal
• 5 primary assists
• 2 secondary assists
• 7 shots on goalDynamite. 🧨 #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/OtCzfiSijN
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) February 21, 2026
According to College Hockey News, McKenna became the first college player with eight or more points in a game since Bob Joyce of North Dakota on January 2, 1987.
“I was just having fun out there. A lot of stuff going on in my life right now,” McKenna told reporters after the game.
That feels like an understatement.
McKenna did draw the ire of some for a Conor McGregor-esque celebration after scoring his lone goal of the night. The superstar winger appeared to imitate the former UFC champion’s iconic strut, giving a nod to the fact that he did, in fact, punch someone in the face outside of a college bar (whether or not that person deserved it is a separate discussion).
One thing is certain. Regardless of the allegations and charges against him, McKenna is a ridiculous hockey player, and teams will still likely be lining up to select him in this summer’s NHL Draft.