The felony aggravated assault charge against Penn State’s star hockey player Gavin McKenna will be dropped, prosecutors said Friday, Feb. 6.
McKenna was arraigned on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Centre County, Pennsylvania, following an alleged altercation in State College on Saturday, Jan. 31. The incident occurred hours after Penn State lost 5-4 to Michigan State in overtime in a game at Beaver Stadium.
According to a copy of the criminal complaint obtained by USA TODAY Sports, McKenna allegedly punched another male on the right side of his face after words were exchanged between them and the group of people McKenna was with.
After further review of video evidence from prosecutors, they believe McKenna ‘did not act with the intent to cause serious bodily harm nor did he recklessly act with extreme indifference to the value of human life.’
McKenna has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, for the remaining charges of a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, as well as summary offenses for harassment and disorderly conduct.
The freshman, who is 18-years-old, is one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft and is rated by NHL.com as the No. 1 prospect in the draft.
The Nittany Lions’ next game is scheduled for Feb. 12 at No. 1 Michigan.