Gavin McKenna goes No. 1 overall in 2026 NHL draft, sixth-ever NCAA top pick

Gavin McKenna was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, becoming just the sixth NCAA hockey player ever to be drafted first overall and the third in the last five years (2021, 2024, 2026). His selection makes Penn State only the fifth NCAA program to have a first-overall pick. As a freshman in 2025-26, McKenna won the Big Ten scoring title with 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 24 conference games, setting a Penn State single-season record.