If there was ever any doubt about who the consensus top pick will be in the upcoming NHL draft, Gavin McKenna just made a statement that his spot won’t be taken away from him without a fight. McKenna set a record for the Penn State men’s hockey program with eight points in Friday’s 11-4 win over Ohio State.
With a goal, five primary assists and two secondary assists, he played one of the games of his life. One performance can’t allay questions about his personal office troubles after he was charged with assault, but those who were concerned about his character in the first place will have to weigh that against his incredible ability to put up the kind of numbers that can do more than change a game, but the direction of a franchise.
This was the highest point total in NCAA Division I men’s hockey in decades.
His post-goal celebration was very Conor McGregor-esque, which caught some people off guard as he still faces some of the charges in his assault case. He was asked about it. “There’s a lot going on in my life… but being at the rink, being with the boys, is my happiness.” He added: “I thought I would show some personality.”
McKenna now has 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 27 games. McKenna is second overall in points per game in the NCAA as a draft-eligible freshman. By comparison, Macklin Celebrini finished second in PPG in his draft year.
As for the other picks in the NHL draft, Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels are still highly respected selections, and there is time before draft day for these players to make their own case.
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