02/05/26 05:21:00
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02/05 11:02 CST Top NHL prospect and Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna charged
with felony assault
Top NHL prospect and Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna charged with felony
assault
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) --- Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, a freshman
center and the presumptive top pick in this summer's NHL draft, has been
charged with felony assault for allegedly breaking a man's jaw and knocking out
a tooth in an altercation last weekend.
McKenna twice punched the 21-year-old man in the face, requiring him to undergo
surgery and have his jaw wired shut, according to a State College Police news
release and the police affidavit.
The incident happened in the hours after Penn State lost to No. 2 Michigan
State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium, home of the Nittany Lions football
team.
McKenna was also charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly
conduct, according to court documents. His representatives did not immediately
respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press. No lawyer is listed
for him in court records.
McKenna was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary
hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.
McKenna, who is from Whitehorse, Yukon, has 11 goals and 21 assists in 24 games
this season for the Nittany Lions. He decided to play for Penn State after the
NCAA lifted its ban on Canadian Hockey League players competing at the Division
I level.
A name, image and likeness deal with the Nittany Lions helped sway McKenna to
join a program that has been at the Division I level for less than 15 years.
McKenna recently had four goals and six assists at the World Junior
Championships while helping Canada to a bronze medal.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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