Gavin McKenna is projected as the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. In June 2025, the 17-year-old forward made a surprising move by committing to Penn State University. He reportedly signed the largest NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal in college hockey history, a six-figure offer valued at up to $750,000 USD.
“This is the next step in my development toward reaching my ultimate goal of playing in the NHL,” the 6-foot Whitehorse, Yukon native said on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “It was an extremely difficult decision. There are many great options out there, but my family, my advisors, and I all agreed that Penn State is the best place for me next year.”
McKenna spent just over two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. In that time, he became one of the most decorated players in recent junior hockey memory. He took home CHL Rookie of the Year honours, CHL Player of the Year, and WHL Player of the Year. He also earned a spot on Canada’s 2024-25 World Junior team while still eligible for the 2026 draft. His choice to pursue college hockey rather than stay in the WHL signals a meaningful shift in both player development and the hockey card market.
“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 shows how recent NCAA rule changes are reshaping hockey’s development landscape. For years, CHL players were barred from NCAA competition. The NCAA classified them as professionals because they played alongside teammates who had signed NHL contracts. That changed ahead of the 2025-26 season, when new rules opened the door for players with QMJHL, OHL, and WHL experience to compete at the college level.
The shift creates a new challenge for CHL teams trying to hold onto their top prospects. Some players may now bypass the traditional junior route altogether, choosing to move directly from high school to the NCAA. NIL opportunities are a major factor in that decision. If the trend continues, it could fundamentally change the pipeline that has long guided Canadian junior talent toward professional hockey.
Trading Card Market Implications
McKenna’s move from the CHL to NCAA hockey creates some interesting dynamics in the trading card market, largely due to how licensing is divided. Upper Deck holds the CHL and Hockey Canada licenses, as well as roughly 19 NCAA licenses. This means his Medicine Hat Tigers and Team Canada cards fall under their umbrella. Topps, on the other hand, holds many NCAA licenses, including an exclusive agreement with Penn State. Panini America holds licenses with several NCAA schools as well, adding another competitor to the mix.
That divide works in collectors’ favour in one key way. His junior cards from Medicine Hat stand on their own as valuable pieces documenting the early chapter of his career. At the same time, his Penn State commitment opened the door for Topps to feature him in NCAA and school-specific products. That opportunity did not take long to arrive.
McKenna made his Penn State debut on October 3rd, recording two assists in a 6-3 win. The very next day, Topps announced the release of his 2025-26 Bowman U Now card, numbered 1 in the set, with a print run of 14,060 copies. The card was available for purchase from October 4th through the 7th. Topps clearly recognized the moment, offering randomly inserted parallels, rare numbered parallels, memorabilia cards, and autograph cards as part of the release. Here are the full details of this significant card, directly from Topps.
The transition to college hockey also disrupts the traditional card release schedule. College players typically appear in far fewer products than their CHL counterparts, which could drive increased demand and anticipation for future collegiate releases from Topps.
McKenna’s NIL deal and high-profile commitment may also shift how card companies approach other prospects making the same CHL-to-NCAA jump. His situation could lead to more strategic releases tied to major recruiting announcements, with multiple manufacturers competing for the most marketable college hockey talent.
Looking Forward
McKenna finished the season with 15 goals and 36 assists (51 points) in 35 games with the Nittany Lions, including a hat trick against fifth-ranked Wisconsin. Leading the Big Ten conference in scoring. His early-season numbers were modest, and many of his points came on the power play, though it is worth noting that he did not turn 18 until December 20, meaning he spent much of the season competing against older (up to seven years older) and more physically mature players.
Many believed McKenna would thrive when playing alongside top talent with Team Canada at the World Juniors, and they were right. In seven games, McKenna registered four goals and 10 assists for the red and white, leading them to a bronze medal.
After Team Canada announced its World Junior camp roster, TSN’s James Duthie asked McKenna about his experience at Penn State. McKenna said, “There’s less time and space out here. Guys are bigger, stronger, faster. Coming here, I wanted to challenge myself, and I think college has done that. This has been a big growth year for me.”
McKenna’s 2025-26 season has not been without controversy. In late January, an incident outside a bar in State College, PA, resulted in a 21-year-old man suffering a broken jaw. McKenna was charged in early February and initially faced a felony aggravated assault charge, along with simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. Prosecutors later dropped the felony, leaving a misdemeanor assault charge and lesser offenses. Despite the case, McKenna continues to be regarded as the leading NHL prospect.
Other season highlights include, McKenna recording a record eight-point game in Penn State’s 11-4 win over Ohio State on February 20, 2026, where he posted 1 goal and 7 assists. On March 17, 2026 McKenna was named as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award which goes to the top player in U.S.-college hockey.
Conclusion
If this wave of CHL-to-NCAA players succeeds, more top prospects could follow the same path in the years ahead. McKenna’s performance at Penn State will serve as a key test case. Can elite junior talent make a smooth transition to college hockey, earn NIL compensation, and still stay on track for an NHL career? His time with the Nittany Lions should go a long way toward answering that question.
Both the hockey community and the collectibles hobby will be watching closely. If the move pays off for McKenna and Penn State, it could meaningfully change how future top prospects think about their own development path.
NOTE: this story has been updated with new information.
Baron Bedesky
Editor-In-Chief, Researcher
Collector since: 1969
Currently: PHPA (Professional Hockey Players’ Association)
Formerly: VP of Communications at In The Game (former NHL/NHLPA card licensee). Editor and Trends Editor at Trajan Media (Charlton Standard Catalogue of Hockey Cards, Canadian Baseball Cards, Canadian Sports Collector magazine, Non-Sport Report, and more).
