Gavin McKenna, a projected top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is set to bring his former Western Hockey League (WHL) identity to the collegiate ranks as he begins his NCAA hockey career at Penn State University. The program officially announced on Tuesday that McKenna will wear No. 72 during his inaugural season, a number he sported while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL last season, where he notably recorded an impressive 129 points in just 56 games.

No player in the history of Penn State hockey has ever worn the No. 72 jersey, marking a significant moment for both McKenna and the program. The previous highest number worn by a Nittany Lions player was No. 35. McKenna is not alone in breaking away from traditional jersey number norms within the program; incoming freshman defenseman Nolan Collins, who is also a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, will don No. 77 next season. Furthermore, freshman forward Shea Van Olm, another former WHL standout, will set a new benchmark for the highest jersey number in program history, wearing No. 93, as confirmed by Penn State. In contrast, fellow 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.

The recent change in NCAA policy permitting former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to compete has positioned McKenna as one of the most highly anticipated prospects to enter college hockey ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old forward made his commitment to Penn State on July 8, having also considered options like Michigan State. As Penn State prepares for the upcoming season, the program is coming off its first-ever Frozen Four appearance, and Nashville Predators prospect Aiden Fink is returning after finishing the previous season as a Hobey Baker Award finalist. With McKenna likely to join Fink on the top line, the Nittany Lions aim to contend for a national championship in what could be McKenna's sole college season before potentially advancing to the NHL.