Yukon hockey phenom Gavin McKenna announces NCAA plans

Gavin McKenna, a 17-year-old hockey prodigy from Yukon, has recently announced his commitment to play collegiate hockey for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite being a highly sought-after prospect for the NHL, McKenna has decided to take a detour through the NCAA before making his professional debut.

McKenna’s decision to join Penn State was revealed on ESPN’s SportsCenter, where he expressed that he believes it is the best place for him to further his career in the upcoming year. With an impressive track record in the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers, where he led his team to victory in the WHL title and the Memorial Cup final, McKenna is expected to be the top pick in the next NHL draft.

Having tallied an impressive 41 goals and 88 assists in just 56 regular-season games, McKenna’s talent and potential have garnered attention from hockey experts and fans alike. In fact, he was recently honored as the third-youngest Canadian Hockey League player of the year, following in the footsteps of hockey greats like Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.

The NCAA’s decision to lift the ban on CHL players competing in U.S. colleges has opened up new opportunities for players like McKenna. Craig Button, a senior hockey analyst with TSN and a former NHL general manager, believes that this change is beneficial for both players and schools like Penn State. McKenna’s decision to join the Nittany Lions is seen as a positive step for the program, as his presence is expected to elevate the team’s performance and attract other talented players.

For McKenna’s parents, Willy and Krystal McKenna, the decision to send their son to Penn State was a proud moment. Despite some initial hesitation and nerves about him leaving his hometown of Medicine Hat, they trust in Gavin’s judgment and believe that he will thrive under the guidance of the coaching staff and team at Penn State.

With a mix of excitement and apprehension, the McKenna family is preparing for this new chapter in Gavin’s hockey journey. As he embarks on his collegiate career at Penn State, they are confident that he will continue to excel both on and off the ice, making them proud with his maturity and decision-making abilities. And with his eyes set on a future in the NHL, McKenna’s time at Penn State is sure to be a stepping stone towards achieving his professional hockey dreams.