Penn State men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky and Athletic Director Pat Kraft discuss the importance of Gavin McKenna's commitment to the Nittany Lions.

Penn State fans across the country celebrated this week as the NHL’s draft prospect Gavin McKenna committed to the Nittany Lions, ushering in a new era in Hockeyvalley. Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky on Thursday called McKenna a “special player and a terrific young man.

In 1984, the Penguins had the No. 1 pick and chose Mario Lemieux. In 2005, 21 years later, the Penguins had the No. 1 pick and took Sidney Crosby. And heading into a draft 21 years after Crosby, Pittsburgh would be quite fortunate to get the No. 1 spot in the 2026 NHL Draft. That's because Gavin McKenna will be there for the taking.