McKenna, projected 2026 No. 1 pick, commits to Penn State

Gavin McKenna, the projected first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, committed to Penn State, he announced on Tuesday's "Sportscenter."

McKenna is the highest-profile prospect to make the move to the NCAA since the Division I Council voted to make CHL players eligible to play college hockey, beginning with the 2025-26 campaign.

McKenna starred with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers the past two seasons. The 17-year-old totaled 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games last campaign before adding 38 points in 16 playoff contests to lead Medicine Hat to the WHL title. His performance earned him the CHL Player of the Year, becoming the third-youngest recipient of the award behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.

The Yukon native featured for Canada at the 2025 World Juniors. In 2024, McKenna set a Canadian scoring record at the Under-18s with 20 points in seven games.

"McKenna is in a special category that you only come across every few years," NHL Central Scouting vice president and director Dan Marr said, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman. "His offensive instincts and playmaking game are truly exceptional, and it's his composure, compete, and maturity that really sell you on his talent."

Penn State made the Frozen Four this year, the first time they've done so since becoming a D-I program in 2012. The Nittany Lions lost in the national semifinals against Boston University.

McKenna joins Columbus Blue Jackets first-rounder Jackson Smith, Calgary Flames prospect Luke Misa, and standout WHL scorer Shea Van Olm as CHL commits for the Nittany Lions.