Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, a highly regarded NHL draft prospect, is facing a felony aggravated assault charge after authorities say he broke a man’s jaw during an altercation in downtown State College.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed Wednesday by State College police, McKenna is accused of punching a 21-year-old man twice during a confrontation around 8:45 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of South Pugh Street. The victim later required surgery to repair fractures on both sides of his jaw, which will be wired shut for about two weeks. Police said he also lost a tooth.
Officers said the confrontation began after an exchange of words between the victim and his friends and McKenna and the group he was with. The incident occurred hours after the 18-year-old Canadian forward scored a goal and added two assists in Penn State’s overtime loss to Michigan State, a game played in front of nearly 75,000 fans at Beaver Stadium. Doggie’s Pub hosted a hockey-related event following the game.
A source familiar with McKenna’s account said he was with teammates, family members, and teammates’ families when the group was leaving Doggie’s. According to the source, a man began heckling McKenna and his mother, prompting teammates to try to calm the situation and encourage the man to leave them alone. The situation escalated after the man allegedly directed insults at McKenna’s mother.
Police said the victim was in significant pain and had difficulty speaking when officers spoke with him at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Two of the victim’s friends told police they saw McKenna punch the man and said they recognized him as a member of the Penn State hockey team.
An officer wrote that street camera footage reviewed by police shows McKenna throwing the punches near the Pugh Street parking garage. The video then shows him walking east on East Beaver Avenue before turning onto South Garner Street.
McKenna was arraigned Wednesday night by District Judge Casey McClain and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. In addition to the felony aggravated assault charge, he is also charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11. No defense attorney was listed in court records.
In a statement, a Penn State men’s hockey spokesperson said, “We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment.”
Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky spoke positively about McKenna earlier Saturday, calling him “as incredible a person as he is an athlete.”
“He’s a big-moment player and an incredible talent,” Gadowsky said. “His desire to help the team is what I love most about him.”
The Nittany Lions are next scheduled to play Feb. 13 at Michigan.