NEED TO KNOW
- Gavin McKenna has been charged with felony aggravated assault
- The projected No. 1 pick for this year’s NHL draft was arraigned on four charges related to an altercation on Jan. 31 with another man
- The incident resulted in the victim, a 21-year-old, to require facial “corrective surgery”
Gavin McKenna has been charged with aggravated assault.
Widely projected to be the first overall pick in the NHL draft this coming June, the 18-year-old Penn State forward was arrested and charged with four total counts, according to a press release from the State College Police Department on Feb. 4.
The charges, which include felony aggravated assault, all relate to an alleged altercation between McKenna and another man on Jan. 31.
The Pennsylvania criminal code defines felony aggravated assault — which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine — as an action that “attempts to cause serious bodily injury” or causes injury with “extreme indifference.”
Additionally, the Canadian native has also been charged with misdemeanor simple assault, summary harassment and summary disorderly conduct.
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According to the release, the incident took place in the 100 block of South Pugh Street in State College around 8:45 p.m local time.
“It is alleged that McKenna struck a 21-year-old male in the face during the altercation resulting in facial injuries requiring corrective surgery,” police stated of the incident.
The 21-year-old lost a tooth in the altercation and had his jaw wired shut, reported Penn State’s student newspaper, The Daily Collegian, which cited the criminal complaint.
McKenna was arraigned on the charges and released on $20,000 bail, according to the statement. He is set to appear in court on Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the Centre County Courthouse in the neighboring town of Bellefonte.
“We are aware that charges have been filed; however, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not have any further comment,” a spokesperson for Penn State said, according to ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
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On the same day as the alleged incident, McKenna joined the Nittany Lions at PSU’s Beaver Stadium for a game against Michigan State. The home team last 5-4 to Michigan in overtime, and McKenna had a goal and two assists, ESPN reported.
The outlet reported NHL Central Scouting ranks McKenna as first out of all North American skaters. The NHL is aware of the charges, the organization told ESPN, but declined to comment as McKenna is not affiliated with them.
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