While the 2026 NHL Draft won’t take place until late June, Gavin McKenna is already making waves. The 18-year-old Canadian college hockey player with a controversial past appears to be headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the number one draft prospect.
The Maple Leafs had a mediocre season, missing the playoffs after losing to the San Jose Sharks. However, they won the first spot in the draft lottery on May 5, 2026, and will be hoping that their future will change if they decide to recruit Gavin to the team.
Here’s everything you need to know about Gavin McKenna and his controversial arrest.
© Getty ImagesGavin was arrested in January 2026
Six months before the 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin was arrested by Penn State’s State College Police Department after an alleged altercation at Doggie’s Pub – a Penn State favorite – following a game. The police alleged that Gavin punched a man twice on the right side of his face.
Further, the complaint against Gavin alleged that the man sustained fractures to both sides of his jaw, requiring surgery, and he was missing a tooth.
© Getty ImagesWhat was Gavin charged with?
After the altercation and his arrest, Gavin was initially charged with first-degree felony aggravated assault, which according to the New York State Senate is when a person uses intent to cause serious physical injury to another person.
But, in early February, the charge against Gavin was dropped. The State College Police Department reviewed video footage from the pub and street cameras and confirmed that they did not believe the aggravated assault charge was supported by evidence.
© Getty ImagesGavin plays for Penn State University
In 2024, the NCAA announced it would allow Canadian Hockey League players to play in collegiate competition. And Gavin was immediately targeted by major American universities. On July 8, 2025, he committed to Pennsylvania State University, saying he wanted to play “against older, heavier, stronger guys” to prepare for the NHL.
Gavin reportedly received up to $700,000 for his recruitment. This season, the Penn State hockey team is having a good run, with 21 wins. And in January, Gavin scored his first collegiate hat-trick.
© InstagramGavin’s childhood in Canada
Gavin grew up in a remote area in Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada. He told ESPN: “Whitehorse is a small community where everybody kind of knows everybody. Everyone’s quite supportive and really kind and very welcoming.”
His dad, who also played ice hockey, constructed an outdoor ice rink for him to practice every winter. And as a kid, Gavin shot over 100 pucks daily to hone his skills.
© Getty ImagesGavin’s family is First Nation
The hockey player’s mentor was his grandfather Joe, who inspired him to practice hard for his dream career. Joe is a member of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation who survived Canada’s residential school system, which separated indigenous children from their families for more than 100 years.
And Gavin is very proud of his heritage. His mom, Krystal McKenna told ESPN: “When I grew up, being Indigenous meant you were ashamed of your culture,” Krystal said. “So now we’re trying to ingrain in our kids – no, be proud of who you are and where you come from. Hockey is super cool and it’s fun and all of those great things. But for us to hear people tell us that he’s a good human being, that is what’s most important.”