Feb 06, 2026
3 min read
The probable cause affidavit alleges that McKenna punched the man twice after "negotiations."
Gavin McKenna charged a man twice after an "exchange of words" Saturday near a parking lot entrance, sending the man to the hospital with a broken jaw and a missing tooth and leaving blood on a sidewalk in State University, Pennsylvania, police records show.
McKenna, a top NHL prospect and star forward for Penn State, was charged with aggravated assault Wednesday, according to court documents and a statement from the State College Police Department.The Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada native also faces a charge of assault and a summary charge of harassment and disorderly conduct for his role in the altercation.
Security camera footage shows McKenna leaving Doggie's Pub shortly before the attack.According to police, the altercation was caught on CCTV in State College.According to Google Maps, the entrance to the pub and the Pew Street parking garage are about 150 feet apart.
The officer who filed the affidavit, identified as L. Scheer, was dispatched to Mount Nittany Medical Center to speak with the injured man.The man had dried blood on his lips and was missing a lower tooth.According to the affidavit, the man struggled to speak, so two friends who witnessed the incident told Shearer.
They said, according to the affidavit, McKenna hit the man twice on the right side of his face at approximately 8:45, "after an exchange of words between him and a group of people (McKenna) was with."They also said that they knew McKenna, and they suspected that he and his group came from the Doggies, who hosted a hockey event at Beaver Stadium the day before Penn State's game.The match ended around 16:20.
The man's friends also said they remembered seeing his blood on the sidewalk;a detention officer said he found the blood and took a photo of it.
In Pennsylvania, the maximum penalty for a first-degree felony is 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
Multiple attempts by The Athletic to contact McKenna's representatives at CAA have not yet been returned.
In a written statement to The Athletic on Wednesday, Penn State athletics associate director of strategic communications John Hanna said: "We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we have no further comment."
McKenna was in his first season with the Nittany Lions after three seasons in the Western Hockey League playoffs, where he was the No.Once considered the top eligible prospect, McKenna was ranked No.
In 24 games this season, McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists, tying him for the team lead with 32 points.Penn State has eight regular season games remaining on its schedule.The 2026 draft is scheduled for June 26 and 27 at Cubbank Center in Buffalo, NY.
