Medicine Hat Tigers’ Gavin McKenna announces commitment to Penn State

Gavin McKenna, the 17-year-old hockey superstar of the Medicine Hat Tigers, has committed to Penn State for next season.

McKenna is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NHL Entry Draft.

He called the choice of where to go to school “a super tough decision.”

“There’s a lot of great options out there, but I think me and my family and everyone who’s kind of a part of my circle, we all decided the best spot for me in the next year will be Penn State University,” he said.

“I think Penn State has a great spot for me. I got to kind of get a taste of what it’s like there, and I got to bring my dad, and we both thought it was a great spot for me.”

This is a groundbreaking move.

It’s the first time a CHL superstar has chosen to play for “name, image and likeness” money at a U.S. college.

This allows student athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships.

This is the first season CHL players are eligible to play NCAA hockey, following a rule change last year.

McKenna posted 129 points in just 56 games for the Tigers last season.

He also has a modern CHL record for the longest single-season point streak at 54 games.

He was the first player from the Yukon to be drafted first overall by the WHL at the age of 14—selected by Medicine Hat.

He recorded four points in his WHL debut.

And he played for Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships as well as the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

McKenna announced his commitment to Penn State for next season late Tuesday afternoon on a live ESPN broadcast.

He said his parents’ support in the decision means a lot.

“I wouldn’t be here today (without) the sacrifices they made for me. You know, it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind and it’s a motivator for me to reach my goals and do it for them,” he said.

The 17-year-old’s compensation package is expected to be worth around US$700,000.

With files by Jacqueline Scantlebury and Karsen Marczuk