Penn State men\u2019s hockey freshman Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old centre viewed as a leading prospect for this summer\u2019s NHL draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault following an alleged altercation in State College, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 31, according to court records and police information reported by The Associated Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKenna is accused of striking a 21-year-old man in the face during the incident. The victim suffered multiple facial fractures and required surgery, according to an incident report cited in coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKenna also faces additional charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKenna was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bail, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Penn State has not publicly detailed any team discipline connected to the case. Requests for comment to McKenna\u2019s representatives were not immediately returned, according to the same report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The alleged altercation occurred in the hours after Penn State played Michigan State in an outdoor Big Ten game at Beaver Stadium in University Park on Jan. 31. The game was staged at the Nittany Lions\u2019 football venue as part of a marquee outdoor event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKenna, who is from Whitehorse, Yukon, has been one of Penn State\u2019s top performers this season, with 11 goals and 21 assists through 24 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He joined Penn State after an NCAA policy change allowed Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the Division I level, and his decision was also influenced by a name, image and likeness arrangement, according to prior reporting around his recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McKenna recently played for Canada at the World Junior Championship, recording four goals and six assists as Canada won the bronze medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Penn State men\u2019s hockey freshman Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old centre viewed as a leading prospect for this summer\u2019s NHL draft, has been charged with felony aggravated assault following an alleged altercation in State College, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 31, according to court records and police information reported by The Associated Press. McKenna is accused of striking […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n