McKenna’s 8-Point Explosion Shakes NCAA Hockey and NHL Draft Race
History was made on the ice and the name at the center of it is Gavin McKenna.
The 18-year-old freshman delivered a performance that college hockey has not seen in nearly four decades. Playing for Penn State Nittany Lions , McKenna put up a staggering eight points in a single game, one goal and seven assists, in an 11–4 demolition of Ohio State Buckeyes . Eight points. In one night. That is the most recorded in NCAA Division I men’s hockey since detailed game tracking began and it places him in rare historical company.
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To understand how rare this is, you have to go back to 1987, when North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Bob Joyce scored nine in a game. Since then, no Division I player had reached eight against another D-I opponent. That drought just ended.
And this did not happen in a quiet, low-pressure moment. Penn State had been winless in its previous four games, facing top national contenders. There were questions about consistency. There were whispers about McKenna’s all-around game. Despite being projected as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, some draft boards had started to shuffle him slightly downward.
Then came this response.
McKenna was dominant on the power play, helping Penn State go a perfect five-for-five with the man advantage. He was not just collecting secondary touches either. Five of his seven assists were primary. He was driving the offense, dictating pace and controlling space. By the end of the night, he had lifted his season totals to 41 points in just 27 games.
This is the same player who tore apart major junior hockey last season, putting up eye-popping numbers before making the jump to the NCAA. He has also represented Canada on the world stage at the World Junior Championship, bringing experience that most freshmen simply do not have.
For Penn State, this was more than a win. It was a statement. For NHL scouts, it was confirmation. And for college hockey, it was a night that will be talked about for years.
Stay with us for continuing coverage on McKenna’s season, the draft race and everything shaping the future of the game.
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