Penn State’s Gavin McKenna walks off the ice after the second period of the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State hockey star and potential first overall NHL draft pick Gavin McKenna is facing a felony aggravated assault charge after he was accused of breaking a man’s jaw Saturday in an altercation in downtown State College.
Borough police said in an affidavit of probable cause filed Wednesday that the man McKenna punched twice had surgery to repair fractures to both sides of his jaw, which will remain wired shut for about two weeks. He was also missing a tooth.
An officer said the bloody altercation, which unfolded about 8:45 p.m. Saturday along the 100 block of South Pugh Street, followed an “exchange of words” between the 21-year-old man, his friends, McKenna and those he was with.
No defense lawyer was listed and it is unclear if McKenna has a defense attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The alleged crime occurred hours after the 18-year-old Canadian phenom scored a goal and registered two assists in an overtime loss against Michigan State in front of nearly 75,000 fans in Beaver Stadium. Police said Doggie’s Pub hosted a hockey event after the game.
A source with knowledge of McKenna’s perspective on the incident said the hockey player was with teammates, his family and his teammates’ family members after the game. The group was leaving Doggie’s when a person began heckling McKenna and his mother, with teammates attempting to diffuse the situation, and trying to get the person to leave McKenna and his family alone.
The incident escalated after the person began name-calling McKenna’s mother, according to the source.
McKenna was arraigned Wednesday night by District Judge Casey McClain, who released him on $20,000 unsecured bail. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of simple assault and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” a Penn State men’s hockey spokesperson told the CDT.
State College police said the man was in substantial pain and could hardly speak in the Mount Nittany Medical Center emergency room. Two of his friends told police McKenna punched him twice on the right side of his face and that they recognized him because he was on the hockey team.
An officer said he reviewed footage from street cameras, which showed McKenna throwing the punches near the Pugh Street parking garage. He then walked eastbound along East Beaver Avenue before turning onto South Garner Street, police wrote.
The man had surgery Monday to repair the fractures.
Penn State hockey coach Guy Gadowsky spoke highly of McKenna after Saturday’s game, telling reporters his star is “as incredible a person as he is an athlete.”
“He’s a big moment player, he’s an incredible talent. His desire to help the team is, I think, what I love most about him,” Gadowsky said. “I know it sounds like a cliche, but it’s not. He’s as incredible a person as he is an athlete.”
The Nittany Lions are next scheduled to play Feb. 13 at Michigan. McKenna’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.
Reporter Jon Sauber contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 5:36 PM.
