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Penn State Men's Hockey Lands Top Recruit Gavin McKenna
PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES, JUL 8 – Penn State attracted multiple first-round NHL draft picks and top Canadian Hockey League players, boosting its men's hockey program after reaching the Frozen Four for the first time.
- Projected No. 1 overall 2026 NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State, announced live on ESPN’s SportsCenter on July 8, marking the program’s highest-ranked recruit ever.
- NCAA lifted its ban on CHL players in November, enabling Penn State to attract top recruits like Gavin McKenna, who led the program to its first Frozen Four; this rule change significantly boosted the program's success.
- As a result, Smith is projected as a first-pair defenseman and Misa slots in as Penn State’s most dynamic center.
- Penn State's recruitment of top CHL talent, led by the highly ranked Gavin McKenna, reflects NCAA rule changes and program success that position it as a premier destination for elite junior players.
49 Articles
49 Articles
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