NEW YORK – Talented Canadian hockey player Gavin McKenna is facing four charges, including aggravated assault, after a fight.
The 18-year-old forward, who has long been talked about as a possible number one pick in this year’s NHL draft, is scheduled to appear in court next week.
According to Pennsylvania District Court documents, McKenna got into an altercation with a 21-year-old man last Saturday at approximately 8:45 p.m. local time, allegedly punching him twice in the face and injuring him after an argument.
Gavin McKenna has been charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanour simple assault, and two summary offenses, per @OnwardState.
McKenna allegedly assaulted an individual while at a bar with his team, leaving them with a broken jaw.
McKenna could face jail time. pic.twitter.com/u4nB8eQjJe
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) February 4, 2026
The incident took place in the city of State College, where the young Canadian plays for the Penn State Nittany Lions team in the university’s NCAA. On the same day, he played in an outdoor game against Michigan State in front of nearly 75,000 spectators, in which the Nittany Lions lost 4-5 in overtime.
According to the local Center Daily Times, the man provoked the hockey player and his family members, with whom McKenna spent time after the game. The attacked man allegedly suffered fractures on both sides of his jaw and had to undergo surgery, and also lost a tooth. McKenna was released after posting bail of $20,000, and the court hearing was tentatively set for February 11.
After the fight, he also faces charges of assault and misdemeanors of harassment and disorderly conduct. However, the most serious charge is first-degree aggravated assault, for which, if convicted, he faces up to twenty years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
- Author: © List/
- PHOTO: X/PuckEmpire
- Source: TASR
