(Photo credit: Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Gavin McKenna just accelerated the growth and relevance of NCAA men's ice hockey.

The 17-year-old phenom and consensus No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft committed to play collegiately at Penn State, he announced Tuesday on ESPN.

'It was a super tough decision,' McKenna said. 'Obviously there's a lot of great options out there, but me and my family and everyone who is part of my circle, we all decided the best spot for me next year will be Penn State University. I think Penn State is a great spot for me.'

McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, is a member of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation of the Han people. He was the first Yukon-born player to be selected in the Western Hockey League, when the Medicine Hat Tigers tabbed him in the 2022 bantam draft.

At age 16, he recorded 34 goals and 97 points for Medicine Hat, then amassed 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 contests this past season. He earned 2024 Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honors -- becoming the third-youngest play to win the award, behind NHL superstars Sidney Crosby and John Tavares -- and led Medicine Hat to their first WHL title since 2007.

McKenna chose Penn State over Michigan State after visiting both campuses last weekend.

The growth of the college game has been further propelled by a November 2024 rule change, which allows CHL players to compete in the NCAA for the first time. Alberta native Jackson Smith, 18, a 2025 first round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, also committed to Penn State for the 2025-26 academic year.

Penn State reached the Frozen Four for the first time in its program's history this past spring.

'I think it honestly it just makes the jump easier, going against older, heavier stronger guys (in the NCAA). It really prepares you,' McKenna said. 'Even in the locker room, hanging around older guys and being around more mature guys, I think that will help me a lot. ... Going to college and being in such a great conference, it will really challenge and prepare me.'

--Field Level Media