Gavin McKenna is set to bring his WHL jersey number into his NCAA hockey career as he embarks on his first season with Penn State. The highly regarded forward, projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, will wear the number 72. This announcement was made by the Penn State hockey program on Tuesday. McKenna wore No. 72 during his tenure with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL last season, where he made a significant impact by scoring 129 points in just 56 games.

The choice of No. 72 is notable as no previous player in Penn State hockey history has donned this number. The highest number utilized prior to McKenna's arrival was No. 35. Additionally, McKenna is not the only incoming freshman disrupting traditional jersey number conventions within the program. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and freshman defenseman Nolan Collins will sport No. 77 next season, while fellow freshman Shea Van Olm, a former WHL standout, will set a new record for the highest jersey number in the program's history by wearing No. 93. In contrast, freshman defenseman Jackson Smith will wear No. 7 after being selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A recent rule change has granted former CHL players the opportunity to compete in NCAA hockey, positioning McKenna as one of the most anticipated prospects to participate at the collegiate level before heading into the NHL Draft. Announcing his commitment to Penn State on July 8, McKenna had also been considering Michigan State. Penn State recently made headlines with its first Frozen Four appearance and will welcome back Nashville Predators prospect Aiden Fink, who finished the previous season as a Hobey Baker Award finalist. With McKenna poised to join Fink on the top line, the Nittany Lions are optimistic about their chances to contend for a national title next spring, potentially marking McKenna's single season in college hockey before the 2026 NHL Draft.