Penn State Hockey Star Gavin McKenna Charged With Aggravated Assault

Updated 10:13 p.m. Feb. 4.

Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is facing felony and misdemeanor assault charges after an alleged altercation Saturday night in downtown State College that police say left another man with injuries requiring surgery.

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.

He was arraigned Wednesday night by District Judge Casey McClain and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Police wrote in a statement on Wednesday night that McKenna struck a 21-year-old man in the face during the altercation at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday on the 100 block of South Pugh Street. The man sustained facial injuries that required corrective surgery.

A criminal complaint was not yet available.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the incident told StateCollege.com that McKenna is accused of punching and breaking the man’s jaw after attending a gathering with teammates and their families and friends at a downtown bar following the Nittany Lion men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium.

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.