Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, who was expected to be the first pick in this year’s NKL American Ice Hockey League draft, has been charged with first-degree aggravated assault, stemming from a Jan. 31 incident.
McKenna, an 18-year-old Canadian citizen, was also charged with two counts of disorderly conduct in Pennsylvania District Court after what was described as a fight.
The alleged incident occurred on the same day that Penn State lost to Michigan State 4-5 in overtime in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium in front of 74,575 spectators, Reuters reports.
“We are aware that charges have been filed. However, since this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment,” Penn State said in a statement.
McKenna was among the first Canadian youth hockey players to take advantage of the 2024 ruling that allowed players from this country to transfer to college hockey in the United States.
According to ESPN, McKenna earns around $700,000 in NIL compensation.
It is a regulation that allows college athletes to earn money from their athletic abilities. In 2021, the NCAA changed its rules to allow students to profit from their “name, image and the like” (NIL).
Three years ago, a combination of NCAA rule changes and state laws restored NIL rights to collegiate athletes, and they’ve been making sponsorship deals ever since.
McKenna has 11 goals and 21 assists in 26 games for the Nittany Lions this season.
(Vijesti.ba)
