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5d ago

Gavin McKenna Commits to Penn State, Accelerating CHL-to-NCAA Shift

His commitment underscores the impact of the NCAA’s new CHL eligibility rule on Penn State’s accelerated recruitment of elite junior talent

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NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna lifts the Ed Chynoweth Cup after the Tigers beat the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 on May 16 to capture the franchise's sixth title.
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Overview

  • McKenna made his announcement live on ESPN’s SportsCenter, choosing Penn State over Michigan State for the 2025-26 NCAA season.
  • The 17-year-old winger concluded his WHL career with 129 points in 56 games, a CHL Player of the Year honor, an Ed Chynoweth Cup title and a Memorial Cup final appearance.
  • His move is the highest-profile commitment under the NCAA’s November 2024 rule lifting the ban on CHL players, marking a turning point in the junior-to-college hockey pipeline.
  • Penn State has already secured fellow CHL standouts Jackson Smith and Luke Misa, reinforcing its position as the new epicenter for elite junior talent.
  • Backed by Terry and Kim Pegula’s $102 million investment and competitive NIL offerings, the Nittany Lions program has swiftly risen to Frozen Four contention.