Gavin McKenna is set to carry his former Western Hockey League (WHL) number into the realm of NCAA hockey, as he has officially announced that he will wear No. 72 during his inaugural season with the Penn State Nittany Lions. This news was confirmed by the university on Tuesday.

McKenna, the projected top pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, showcased his scoring prowess last season with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, where he accumulated an impressive 129 points in just 56 games. The decision to wear No. 72 marks a significant milestone, as no other Penn State player has donned this number in the program's history—a record previously held by the highest number worn, which was No. 35.

He is not alone in breaking the program's historical pattern of lower jersey numbers. Freshman defenseman Nolan Collins, a prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will wear No. 77 next season, while fellow freshman forward Shea Van Olm will establish a new benchmark for jersey numbers at No. 93. In contrast, defenseman Jackson Smith, who was selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, will wear No. 7. A recent rule amendment permitting former CHL players to participate in NCAA hockey has positioned McKenna as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in college hockey. Following his commitment to Penn State on July 8—after weighing other options, including Michigan State—the Nittany Lions are looking to build on their historic Frozen Four appearance. With the return of Nashville Predators prospect Aiden Fink, who was a Hobey Baker award finalist last season, McKenna's addition to the starting lineup presents a strong opportunity for the team to contend for a national title in the upcoming spring, potentially during what could be McKenna's sole college season before heading into the NHL Draft.