Penn State announced the addition of the consensus No. 1 prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft with a press release on Thursday. Accompanying the release were the first public statements from head coach Guy Gadowsky and athletic director Pat Kraft.

Penn State men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky and Athletic Director Pat Kraft discuss the importance of Gavin McKenna's commitment to the Nittany Lions.

Penn State fans across the country celebrated this week as the NHL’s draft prospect Gavin McKenna committed to the Nittany Lions, ushering in a new era in Hockeyvalley. Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky on Thursday called McKenna a “special player and a terrific young man.