McKenna’s Historic NIL Move from CHL to Penn State

Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, made headlines with his commitment to Penn State University. The 17-year-old forward reportedly received the biggest NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) offer in college hockey history, described as an “extremely generous six-figure” deal, with reports indicating his earnings could reach as high as $750,000 USD.

“This is the next step in my development to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NHL” said the Whitehorse, Yukon Territory native on ESPN’s SportsCenter when announcing his commitment to PSU. “It was a super tough decision, obviously there’s a lot of great options out there, but I think me, my family and everyone who is a part of my circle we all decided that the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University.”

This landmark decision represents a seismic shift in hockey development and hockey trading card pathways. McKenna spent just over two seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he established himself as a generational talent. His junior career was marked by exceptional production and numerous accolades, including CHL Rookie of the Year and both CHL and WHL Player of the Year honours, as well as being named to Canada’s 2024-25 World Junior team as a 2026 NHL Draft-eligible player.

“McKenna is in a special category that you only come across every few years,” said Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting vice president and director, about McKenna’s talent on NHL.com. “His offensive instincts and playmaking game are truly exceptional and it’s his composure, compete and maturity that really sell you on his talent.”

Impact on Hockey Development

McKenna’s move to Penn State is the most high-profile example of how recent NCAA rule changes are reshaping hockey’s landscape. Previously, CHL players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules, in part because some CHL players have signed NHL entry-level contracts. The new eligibility rules allow prospects with QMJHL, OHL, and WHL experience to play NCAA hockey beginning in 2025-26.

For CHL teams, holding onto their best young players is about to get a lot harder. Instead of staying in the CHL for their full junior careers, some prospects might rethink their options and jump to the NCAA once they graduate high school, sometimes even because of the NIL incentives. This could fundamentally alter the traditional development pipeline that has funnelled Canadian junior players directly to professional hockey.

Penn State’s Championship Aspirations

McKenna joins a Penn State program that reached the Frozen Four without him and has added significant talent, including defenseman Jackson Smith, who was drafted 14th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Nittany Lions are positioned to make a serious run at a National Championship with this unprecedented recruiting class.

The addition of McKenna represents more than just talent acquisition — it’s a statement about Penn State’s ambitions and the changing economics of college hockey. McKenna is considered the highest profile recruit in NCAA hockey history, and his commitment could signal a new era where top prospects view the NCAA as a viable alternative to traditional junior hockey pathways.

Trading Card Market Implications

McKenna’s transition from the CHL to NCAA hockey creates unique dynamics in the trading card market, particularly given the complex licensing landscape. Upper Deck holds the CHL license, meaning his Medicine Hat Tigers cards fall under their purview, while Topps/Fanatics has licenses with the NCAA and an exclusive license with Penn State.

This licensing divide creates interesting opportunities and challenges. While his junior hockey cards from his Medicine Hat Tigers tenure will remain valuable collectibles documenting his early career, his move to Penn State opens the door for Topps/Fanatics to potentially feature him in NCAA and Penn State-specific products.

However, the question remains: since Upper Deck has an existing relationship with McKenna through their CHL and Hockey Canada products, do they hold exclusive trading card marketing rights with him? If not, could we see him featured on a 2025-26 Topps Bowman Chrome U card in a Penn State jersey?

The shift to NCAA hockey complicates the traditional card release schedule, as college hockey players typically have much more limited card opportunities compared to their CHL counterparts. This scarcity could potentially create demand and anticipation for any future collegiate hockey releases from Topps/Fanatics.

Additionally, McKenna’s historic NIL deal and high-profile commitment may influence how card companies approach other prospects making similar CHL-to-NCAA transitions. The precedent he’s setting could lead to more strategic card releases tied to major recruitment announcements and commitments, with multiple manufacturers potentially competing for the most attractive college hockey content.

Looking Forward

If the current group of NCAA-bound trendsetters finds success, we could see more 17, 18, 19 and 20-year-olds making the switch in future years. McKenna’s success at Penn State will be closely watched as a litmus test for whether elite CHL prospects can effectively transition to NCAA hockey while earning NIL money and maintaining their development trajectory toward NHL stardom.

The hockey world will be watching to see if this move pays dividends for both McKenna and Penn State, potentially reshaping how future top prospects approach their development paths.