Gavin McKenna's two assists highlight Penn State debut

Gavin McKenna recorded two first-period assists in his Penn State debut Friday night at Arizona State, helping the Nittany Lions take a 2-1 lead early before Arizona State rallied in the second period to go ahead 3-2 after two periods. The 17-year-old forward, who left the Western Hockey League this summer to join Penn State, set up Aiden Fink’s power-play goal with 9:05 remaining in the first and added an assist on Charlie Cerrato’s goal in the final minute of the period.

McKenna arrived in State College as one of the most highly anticipated freshmen in college hockey. He finished last season with Medicine Hat of the WHL with 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 regular-season games and was named both WHL and CHL player of the year. Over three seasons in the WHL he compiled 79 goals and 165 assists. The NCAA’s decision last year to lift its ban on Canadian Hockey League players made his move to college hockey possible. He is widely projected to be a top selection in the 2026 NHL draft.

Coach Guy Gadowsky said McKenna has seamlessly integrated with the roster and brought a distinctive on-ice intelligence. "He does think the game differently," Gadowsky said. "He’s a different animal...