Updated 6:21 p.m. Feb. 4.
Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is facing felony and misdemeanor assault charges after an alleged altercation that occurred Saturday night in downtown State College.
State College police filed a felony count of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of simple assault, along with summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct, late Wednesday afternoon against the 18-year-old from Yukon, Canada.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the incident told StateCollege.com that McKenna is accused of punching and breaking the jaw of another person during an altercation at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night on the 100 block of South Pugh Street. Prior to the incident, McKenna had been at a gathering with teammates and their families and friends at a downtown bar following the Nittany Lion men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium.
McKenna had not been arraigned as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. The criminal complaint was not immediately available from District Judge Casey McClain’s office, which was closed for the day when the charges were filed.
A Penn State men’s hockey spokesperson said the program is aware the charges were filed but would not comment on an ongoing legal matter.”
The Centre County District Attorney’s Office had no comment.
McKenna, a freshman who was the highest-rated recruit in Penn State hockey history, has widely been viewed as one of the top prospects for this year’s NHL Draft. He currently ranks 10th in the nation in points per game.
