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Gavin McKenna Commits to Penn State as NCAA Opens Door for CHL Players

The 17-year-old phenom’s oral commitment marks a turning point in college hockey recruitment after the NCAA waived longstanding CHL restrictions

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Overview

  • The NCAA’s November rule change now allows Canadian Hockey League players to retain NCAA eligibility if they receive no more than actual and necessary expenses.
  • McKenna tallied 50 goals and 167 points in 72 WHL games last season and set a 54-game CHL point streak, cementing his status as the projected top pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
  • Following visits to Penn State and Michigan State, McKenna gave an oral pledge to the Nittany Lions for the 2025-26 season, with an official ESPN announcement expected tonight.
  • Penn State’s hockey program has surged since a $102 million Pegula endowment in 2012 and its first Frozen Four appearance in March 2025, fueling a competitive recruiting environment.
  • McKenna’s decision highlights a broader shift in development pathways that could draw elite talent away from the CHL and reshape junior hockey leagues.