Gavin McKenna is set to bring his former Western Hockey League (WHL) number into NCAA hockey as he embarks on his first season with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Announced on Tuesday, McKenna will wear No. 72, a number he donned last season while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he achieved an impressive record of 129 points in 56 games.

Notably, No. 72 has not been worn by any Penn State player previously, marking a new chapter for the program. The highest number previously associated with the Nittany Lions was No. 35. McKenna is not alone in breaking the program's trend of lower jersey numbers; freshman defenseman Nolan Collins, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, will take the ice wearing No. 77 next season. Moreover, freshman forward Shea Van Olm, a former WHL standout, will establish a new record for the highest jersey number in program history by wearing No. 93. In contrast, freshman defenseman Jackson Smith will don No. 7, having been selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The recent rule change that permits former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to participate in NCAA hockey has positioned McKenna as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in college hockey ahead of the 2026 NHL draft. The 17-year-old forward committed to Penn State on July 8, after also considering Michigan State. Entering the season, Penn State is building on the momentum from its first Frozen Four appearance, and the program welcomes back Aiden Fink, a Nashville Predators prospect and Hobey Baker award finalist from last season. With McKenna expected to join Fink on the top line, the Nittany Lions aim to contend for a national title next spring, which could potentially serve as McKenna's sole season in college before entering the NHL draft.