Gavin McKenna is transitioning from the Western Hockey League (WHL) to NCAA hockey, and he will carry with him the number he wore in the WHL. The highly anticipated prospect, projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, will don No. 72 during his inaugural season with the Penn State Nittany Lions, as announced by the program on Tuesday. Previously, McKenna wore No. 72 with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, where he achieved an impressive total of 129 points in just 56 games.

Interestingly, No. 72 has never been worn by a Penn State player in the program's history. The highest number previously claimed by a Nittany Lions player was No. 35. McKenna is not the only incoming freshman who is reshaping the tradition of jersey numbers at Penn State. Nolan Collins, a freshman defenseman and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, will wear No. 77 next season. Additionally, Shea Van Olm, a former standout in the WHL and also a freshman forward, will set a new benchmark for the highest jersey number in the program’s history by wearing No. 93, according to Penn State's announcements. In contrast, freshman defenseman Jackson Smith will wear No. 7 as he joins the program following his first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A recent rule change allowing former CHL players to compete in NCAA hockey positions McKenna as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in college hockey ahead of his bid for the 2026 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old forward officially announced his commitment to Penn State on July 8, after also considering an offer from Michigan State. Penn State recently made its first appearance in the Frozen Four and is poised to continue its success with returning players, including Nashville Predators prospect Aiden Fink, who finished the last season as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. With McKenna set to join Fink on the top line, expectations are high for the Nittany Lions as they aim for a national title next spring, potentially making McKenna's season one of high significance before he enters the NHL Draft.