Prosecutors drop most serious assault charge against Penn State hockey star McKenna

Prosecutors have dropped the most serious charge against Penn State hockey standout Gavin McKenna following an altercation that occurred last weekend. The 18-year-old freshman, widely projected to be a top selection in the upcoming NHL draft, no longer faces felony aggravated assault allegations but still confronts multiple lesser charges.

Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna announced Friday that the aggravated assault charge was withdrawn after video evidence and further investigation failed to support the required legal threshold. Under Pennsylvania law, such a charge would have necessitated proof that McKenna either intended to cause serious bodily injury or displayed extreme indifference to human life.

“The evidence does not support that level of criminal conduct,” Cantorna explained during a press briefing. The district attorney clarified that initial police reports contained inaccuracies regarding the victim’s injuries.

While early reports claimed the victim suffered injuries to both sides of his jaw and lost a tooth during the altercation, subsequent medical examination revealed two fractures on the same side of his jaw with no tooth loss. The victim has undergone surgery and is currently recovering.

The Canadian forward, who hails from Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory, still faces misdemeanor charges of simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. His preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for March 11, according to court documents.

The incident took place hours after Penn State suffered a loss to second-ranked Michigan State in a high-profile outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium, which had drawn significant attention across college hockey circles. The game represented one of Penn State’s marquee sporting events of the winter season.

McKenna’s case has garnered substantial interest not only because of his status as an elite NHL prospect but also due to his groundbreaking path to NCAA hockey. He chose to play for the Nittany Lions after the NCAA revised its eligibility rules last year, lifting a longstanding ban that had prevented Canadian Hockey League players from competing at the Division I collegiate level.

Industry observers note that McKenna’s decision to join Penn State was facilitated in part by the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly the implementation of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. These new financial avenues for student-athletes reportedly played a significant role in attracting the highly-touted prospect to the university’s program.

NHL scouts continue to monitor the situation closely, as McKenna has long been projected as a potential top-five selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft scheduled for June. Professional teams typically conduct extensive background checks on prospective draft picks, evaluating both on-ice talent and off-ice behavior.

The case highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by high-profile collegiate athletes, especially those with professional aspirations. For Penn State’s hockey program, which has steadily built its reputation since becoming a Division I team in 2012, the situation represents a significant challenge during what had been considered a breakthrough season.

McKenna’s attorney, Jason Dunkle, did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the modified charges or the upcoming court proceedings.

The university athletic department has yet to issue an updated statement on McKenna’s status with the team following the prosecutor’s decision to reduce the charges. Previously, Penn State had announced that McKenna was suspended from team activities pending the resolution of legal proceedings.