As the dust on the NHL draft and trade settles down, attention now turns elsewhere. Among others, the NCAA hockey scene is undergoing its own tectonic shifts, and it just got one of its biggest updates ahead of the upcoming season. 17-year-old Gavin McKenna has only recently announced his commitment to the Penn State Nittany Lions, and could single-handedly bring a new era to collegiate sport. But who is this teenager who has been turning heads with his tricks on the ice?

McKenna, a Whitehorse, Canada, native, is already a popular name among hockey connoisseurs in the USA’s northern neighboring country. With his explosive skills oozing onto the skating rink in both the WHL and the CHL, the Medicine Hat Tigers star has made his presence felt even before going up against the big boys. In a nod to his beefy medal cabinet, Penn State has reportedly coughed up a $700,000 contract for their newest hockey commit. Quite the number, indeed! So, who exactly is the rising Turk who seems to have the Nittany Lions on a hook?

Gavin McKenna’s meteoric rise through the hockey ranks

“This is literally if Crosby or McDavid their draft year had gone to college,” wrote Spittin’ Chiclets in a post on X on July 8 while talking about Gavin McKenna’s Penn State commitment. “I bet you, he got bank,” said one of the co-hosts of the show, comparing the youngster with some of the biggest stars of the NHL, while noting that the Big 10 college can easily tap into its massive financial reserves just to make sure the highly-ranked 2026 NHL prospect to play for their program.

In his debut WHL season as only a 14-year-old, McKenna posted 4 points and wrapped that season with an incredible 18 points in 16 games. He was named the CHL Rookie of the Year, thanks to his incredible first season in the league, but McKenna was only getting started. In his very next season, Gavin bagged a mind-numbing 97 points in the regular season.

Gavin kept breaking expectations in every possible way. In his past season, playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers, McKenna notched up 129 points (41 goals and 88 assists) to lead the team to its first WHL triumph since 2007. He led the WHL in terms of assists. He also helped the team reach to the Memorial Cup final, bagging the CHL Player of the Year trophy. In the WHL, too, the title of MVP was bestowed upon the young hockey player.

McKenna’s fluidity on the ice makes him a nightmare for the opponent’s blue line. His constant checking of the state of play also allows him to make excellent use of his vision and spot lanes. With his wide array of arsenal, Gavin has also attained quite a lot of international feats along with making a ripple in the domestic hockey scene.

A strong international track record to boot

At just 15 years old, McKenna was already reveling in World Hockey Championship glory. Not only did he get his name in the U17 WHC All-Star Team that year, but the Canadian native was also named in the U18 WJC All-Star Team, thanks to his phenomenal performance at the IIHF World U18 Championships. McKenna led the 2024 WJC tournament in goals to lead Canada to the gold medal at the international hockey tournament.

But 2024 only got better for the young Turk. With his national teammates by his side, Gavin went on to win the prestigious Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Talk about making a habit of attaining stupendous feats!

McKenna’s commitment to Penn State marks a pivotal shift in collegiate sports.

A move that could shape a future star

Only last November, the NCAA lifted the ban on CHL players to compete for US colleges. And McKenna’s commitment to Penn State only highlights how well this change in the rules can play out for all the stakeholders. But, for understandable reasons, McKenna is just excited right now about how the move could impact his NHL career.

“It was a super-tough decision. Obviously there are a lot of great options out there. But me, my family and everyone who’s part of my circle decided that the best spot for me next year would be Penn State University,” Gavin said during an interview with Sportsnet. The opportunity to skate against “older, heavier, stronger guys,” Gavin said, would help him prepare for the NHL better.

“Obviously, the (WHL) was a great spot, and I’m very grateful for what it did for me and my family. I think both options are great, but I just think that going to college and being in such a great conference, it’ll really challenge me and prepare me,” he stated further on why Penn State was the only logical choice. In June this year, the NCAA eased its regulations on how colleges choose to pay their athletes.

With everything in mind, how well do you foresee McKenna’s move to the Nittany Lions panning out? Who do you think could benefit more from the collaboration: Gavin or the college? Tell us your take on the hockey star’s commitment in a comment!