Gavin McKenna, a prominent Penn State hockey player, has had his aggravated assault charge dismissed.

In a significant legal development, Gavin McKenna, a highly regarded 18-year-old hockey player for Penn State, faced a turning point this past week following allegations of assault. Initially charged with aggravated assault after an incident over the weekend that left a 21-year-old man with serious injuries, prosecutors have now decided to drop the felony charge. McKenna is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, making this case particularly noteworthy in the realm of sports.

The incident, which took place in State College, involved an altercation outside a parking garage after McKenna had just succeeded on the ice, scoring one goal and providing two assists in Penn State’s narrow 5-4 overtime loss to Michigan State. Initially, reports indicated that McKenna punched the victim, resulting in a fractured jaw requiring surgical intervention.

Following a review of the incident, including video evidence, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that they did not find sufficient grounds to support the aggravated assault charge. Their statement emphasized the necessity of proving intent to cause serious bodily injury or recklessness, neither of which they believed was evident from the available evidence. Consequently, prosecutors withdrew the aggravated assault charge and clarified misinformation regarding the victim’s injuries, notably correcting earlier claims that suggested the victim lost a tooth during the altercation.

While the aggravated assault charge has been dismissed—the most severe option, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison—McKenna still faces other charges, including simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct, all stemming from the same incident. The simple assault charge alone can lead to a maximum two-year prison sentence, along with potential fines for the additional charges.

McKenna, who hails from Whitehorse, Yukon, remains on unsecure bail set at ,000 and is slated for a preliminary hearing on February 11 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Following the charges, Penn State issued a brief statement acknowledging the situation while declining to comment further, citing the ongoing legal process.

Currently, McKenna is ranked as the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and has made a strong impact in his freshman season at Penn State, amassing 11 goals and 32 points in 24 games. As his legal situation unfolds, McKenna’s future in both college hockey and his potential professional career remains uncertain, with the next game for the Nittany Lions scheduled for February 13 against Michigan.

This incident captures not only the legal ramifications faced by young athletes but also the implications it may hold for their careers and reputations in the sporting world. Media News Source will continue to follow this developing story.