Gavin McKenna: A Hockey Star is Born at Penn State
The hockey world is buzzing after Gavin McKenna's sensational collegiate debut with Penn State. The 17-year-old freshman, widely projected as the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, lived up to the hype in a 6-3 victory over Arizona State on Friday night. Playing in front of a hostile crowd at Mullett Arena, McKenna showcased his exceptional skill and poise, silencing the boos with two primary assists in the first period.
McKenna's impact was immediate. Starting on the first line, he orchestrated Penn State's first two goals with deft passes and impressive hockey sense. On the power play, he masterfully controlled the puck at the blue line, drawing the attention of the defense before slipping a perfect pass to Aiden Fink for the opening goal. Later in the first period, McKenna showcased his vision again, one-touching a pass to Charlie Cerrato, who made it 2-0.
Arizona State coach Greg Powers acknowledged McKenna's special talent, stating, "He's special, right? You can see it." The game was broadcast on NHL Network and streamed on the NHL YouTube channel, further highlighting the anticipation surrounding McKenna's arrival in college hockey.
But McKenna wasn't the only star for Penn State. Junior Matt DiMarsico exploded for a third-period hat trick, securing the win for the Nittany Lions. Charlie Cerrato also had a night to remember, tying a program record with five points. DiMarsico's hat-trick was the 16th in Penn State history and only the second single-period hat-trick.
A Promising Future
McKenna's decision to join Penn State came after the NCAA lifted its ban on Canadian Hockey League players. Previously, he starred for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League, where he was named player of the year after racking up 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 regular-season games. Hailing from Whitehorse, Yukon, McKenna is a member of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation.
With his exceptional talent and promising future, Gavin McKenna is undoubtedly a player to watch in the world of college hockey and beyond.