Felony Charge Withdrawn Against Canadian Hockey Star Gavin McKenna
In a significant legal development, prosecutors in Centre County, Pennsylvania, announced on Friday that they are withdrawing a felony count of aggravated assault against Gavin McKenna, one of the most highly touted prospects for the 2026 National Hockey League draft. The decision comes after a review of video evidence from an incident that occurred outside a bar in State College on January 31.
Incident Details and Legal Proceedings
The 18-year-old McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, was arraigned earlier this week following an altercation that allegedly resulted in another individual suffering two fractures to one side of his jaw. According to the initial complaint, the victim was punched twice on the right side of his face by McKenna after an exchange of words between their respective groups. The victim required surgery and is currently recovering.
However, the district attorney's office and State College police conducted a thorough examination of video footage from the scene. In an official statement, they indicated that the evidence does not support the conclusion that McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury, which is a necessary element to establish probable cause for aggravated assault. This felony charge could have carried a maximum sentence of 20 years upon conviction.
Lesser Charges Remain in Place
While the most serious charge has been dropped, the legal proceedings are far from over for the young hockey star. Prosecutors confirmed that they will move forward with prosecution on three lesser charges:
- Misdemeanor simple assault
- Summary disorderly conduct
- Summary harassment
The district attorney's office emphasized that their review of the evidence led them to believe that while the incident warranted legal action, it did not rise to the level of felony aggravated assault as initially charged.
Impact on Hockey Career and Draft Prospects
McKenna has been making waves in the hockey world with his impressive performance at Penn State University, where he has recorded 32 points (11 goals and 21 assists) in just 24 games. His talent and potential have positioned him as a top contender for the 2026 NHL draft, making these legal developments particularly significant for his future career trajectory.
The question now looming over the hockey community is how the dropping of the felony count—and the ongoing prosecution of the three lesser charges—will impact McKenna's draft status. NHL teams typically conduct extensive background checks on potential draft picks, and any legal issues can influence their evaluation of a player's character and reliability.
As the legal process continues to unfold, hockey analysts and scouts will be closely monitoring how McKenna handles this challenging situation both on and off the ice. The resolution of the remaining charges and his continued performance at Penn State will likely play crucial roles in determining his draft position and professional hockey future.
