Reports came out on Wednesday saying that Gavin McKenna, a talented player on Penn State’s men’s hockey team and a likely top choice in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been charged related to an event that happened last Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania.
State College Police stated that McKenna is dealing with multiple charges. These include aggravated assault, which means trying to seriously hurt someone or acting without care for their safety, along with simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct linked to fighting.
If he is found guilty of just the felony charge, he could spend up to 20 years in prison. He has been released after paying $20,000 bail.
Authorities report that the incident happened outside a local venue and needed police attention. Several online sources and witnesses say McKenna got involved after seeing a 21-year-old man, identified in reports as Penn State student Josh Coakley, verbally attacking his mother. It’s said that this man was yelling hurtful things at McKenna’s mom, and then McKenna supposedly hit him, leading to a broken jaw.
On Friday, McKenna went to court for his arraignment, where he learned about the charges against him and entered a plea that is believed to be not guilty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 11 to decide if the case will go to trial. His lawyers will likely argue that he acted in self-defense, and they might seek a plea deal.
Since aggravated assault is viewed as a serious crime, being found guilty could lead to other issues, like travel restrictions, which would be a big deal for someone aiming for the NHL.
Online discussions have also turned towards the alleged victim, with some social media posts suggesting he appeared to be happy at a medical center after the event. However, those claims have not been confirmed.
As this case develops, it’s unclear what will happen to McKenna’s future in hockey. The situation also brings up complicated issues around self-defense, provocation, accountability, and where to draw the line between protecting oneself and breaking the law.
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