Gavin McKenna, widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has officially committed to play college hockey at Penn State for the 2025-26 season. This decision marks a notable shift in hockey's developmental landscape, as McKenna is leaving the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to join the NCAA, following the NCAA's recent decision to allow CHL players to retain eligibility. McKenna's commitment is considered one of the highest-profile recruitments in NCAA hockey history and is expected to have a significant impact on Penn State's prospects for the upcoming season. He will join Penn State alongside Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick Jackson Smith, with the Big Ten schedule release highly anticipated. The move underscores the NCAA's growing appeal as a development path for elite hockey prospects.