Covering the Canucks for Daily Hive since 2019. Also co-host of the Locked On Canucks Podcast alongside Kyle Bhawan.

Gavin McKenna defined Saturday, Jan. 31, as a day he&#8217;d remember forever.
Earlier in the day, McKenna and Penn State played an outdoor hockey game in front of 74,575 fans at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The 18-year-old was electric in the contest, scoring once while assisting on two other goals.
Even though Penn State lost the game 5-4, it was an experience McKenna was grateful for.
&#8220;This is a once-in-a-lifetime game, so having this experience, it was special,&#8221; <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/gavin-mckenna-shows-off-skills-in-penn-state-game-at-beaver-stadium" target="_blank">he said</a>. &#8220;Something I&#8217;ll remember forever.&#8221;
Unfortunately, McKenna is now in headlines for something else that occurred that day.
As <a href="https://onwardstate.com/2026/02/04/gavin-mckenna-facing-felony-charges-over-incident-at-doggies/" target="_blank">first reported by Onward State</a>, McKenna is facing four charges for an incident that occurred on Jan. 31.
<a href="https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Report/MdjDocketSheet?docketNumber=MJ-49201-CR-0000020-2026&amp;dnh=REbpJYNMWtg61YZifYQ0Xg%3D%3D" target="_blank">Those charges</a> include simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
Of those four charges, the aggravated assault one is the most serious.
In Pennsylvania, if McKenna is found guilty of aggravated assault, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
The charge of simple assault also carries a punishment of up to two years in jail.
Onward State reported that McKenna went to a bar with friends after the outdoor game at Beaver Stadium, where he allegedly assaulted an individual. That individual reportedly suffered a broken jaw.
It&#8217;s a troubling development for a player that is expected to be drafted either first or second overall in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
While McKenna reportedly <a href="https://dailyhive.com/calgary/gavin-mckenna-wants-flames-report" target="_blank">expressed a desire</a> to play for the Calgary Flames, it&#8217;s the Vancouver Canucks who currently have the best odds of drafting first overall.
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Gavin McKenna was projected to be a top-two pick in the upcoming NHL Draft before news broke about recent charges against him.