McKenna, who turns 18 in December, is regarded as a generational talent and has for the past two years been projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Gavin McKenna, 17, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL draft, is committing to Penn State, he announced on SportsCenter Tuesday, telling ESPN that he feels "this is the next step in my development to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.

Gavin McKenna’s next trip is to the Big Ten. To State College, Pennsylvania, to be exact. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft has committed to Penn State after deciding between the Nittany Lions and Michigan State.