Felony Charge Dropped Against Top NHL Prospect Gavin McKenna; Defense Eyes Self-Defense Claim
A felony aggravated assault charge against Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna has been dropped following a review of video evidence, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday. The 18-year-old freshman, widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, still faces misdemeanor charges stemming from a January 31 altercation in State College, Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors Cite Video Evidence in Dropping Felony
The District Attorney’s Office moved to withdraw the first-degree felony count after reviewing surveillance footage of the incident, which occurred outside a parking garage near the 100 block of South Pugh Street. Prosecutors concluded the video “does not support a conclusion that Gavin McKenna acted with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or with reckless indifference to the value of human life,” a necessary threshold for the felony charge which carried a potential sentence of up to 20 years.
McKenna continues to face charges of misdemeanor simple assault, as well as summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct. His preliminary hearing remains scheduled for Wednesday, February 11.
Defense Strategy and Emerging Objections
While the prosecution moves forward with lesser charges, significant objections regarding the context of the altercation have emerged. Legal analysts and reports suggest McKenna’s defense will hinge on a self-defense argument.
Provocation Allegations: Multiple reports and social media accounts, including “Powers of PSU,” allege the altercation began after the accuser aggressively harassed McKenna’s family, specifically directing slurs at his mother. Witnesses reportedly stated the accuser followed McKenna’s group from Doggie’s Pub to the parking garage before the physical confrontation occurred.
Disputed Injuries: Initial police reports indicated the 21-year-old victim suffered fractures to both sides of his jaw and a missing tooth. However, updated medical findings cited by the DA’s office clarify that the victim suffered a fracture to only one side of his jaw and did not lose a tooth, further challenging the initial severity of the allegations.
Visa Implications: Legal analyst Eric Macramalla noted that while the felony drop is a major victory, any conviction for a violent crime could still pose “moral turpitude” issues for McKenna’s U.S. visa status, a critical factor for his collegiate and future professional career.
Background and Hockey Career Impact
The legal trouble comes amidst a standout rookie season for McKenna. A native of Whitehorse, Yukon, he joined Penn State after a dominant tenure in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he was named the CHL Player of the Year in 2025.
Star Performance: McKenna leads the Nittany Lions with 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 24 games this season.
Draft Status: He is considered a “generational talent” and has held the consensus top spot for the 2026 NHL Draft rankings for nearly two years.
University Stance: Penn State Athletics has acknowledged the charges but declined further comment, stating it is an ongoing legal matter. McKenna has remained on the roster, scoring a goal in the outdoor game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium just hours before the alleged incident took place.
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