Charges Dropped Against Penn State Top Hockey Prospect

May 28, 2026

Criminal charges are not guilt. That someone has been accused of a crime doesn’t mean they committed that crime.

A teenage Penn State hockey player was recently charged with a felony. While he’s still facing misdemeanor charges, the prosecutor dropped the felony charge due to a lack of evidence.

The case highlights that initial charges are a starting point in the criminal process. Charges can change before trial. They can be dropped or downgraded.

The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team works with our clients to build a strong defense and challenge criminal charges that don’t match the evidence. If you live in Pennsylvania and are facing criminal charges, call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.

Felony Charges Dropped

In January 2026, Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, a potential No. 1 draft pick for the NHL, was allegedly involved in an altercation that left another man with injuries.

The Centre County District Attorney initially charged McKenna with:

  • Felony charge of aggravated assault
  • Misdemeanor charge of simple assault
  • Summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct

The DA later dropped the felony charge due to lack of evidence. McKenna’s alleged conduct didn’t meet the required elements of aggravated assault.

McKenna does still face potential convictions. Individuals should defend against all charges, even “minor” ones.

What is Aggravated Assault in Pennsylvania?

Every crime requires prosecutors to prove certain elements to establish a defendant’s guilt. There are also different levels of criminal charges. Pennsylvania, for example, recognizes different types of assault, which can result in different types of convictions.

A simple assault conviction is a misdemeanor. An aggravated assault conviction is a felony.

Aggravated assault requires the prosecution to show that the defendant acted with intent to cause serious bodily injury or harm or recklessly, given the circumstances, while showing an extreme indifference to the value of human life.

In McKenna’s case, after law enforcement and the DA’s office reviewed the video evidence of the incident, the DA dropped the aggravated assault charges. The DA stated that the evidence didn’t show that McKenna had the intent to cause serious bodily injury or had acted with reckless indifference to the value of human life.

What’s the Difference Between a Felony, a Misdemeanor, and a Summary Offense?

Pennsylvania has three classifications for crimes:

  • Felonies, the most serious
  • Misdemeanors
  • Summary offenses, the least serious

Felonies carry the most serious potential penalties.

Even when a defendant did commit the alleged criminal conduct, the level of conviction matters. A lesser charge can result in less severe penalties.

Each classification has degrees. First-degree crimes are more serious than second-degree crimes.

Assault is an example of a crime where the circumstances of the alleged incident determine whether the crime was a felony or misdemeanor, and the degree of the crime.

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a first-degree felony. Aggravated assault is a second-degree felony. Simple assault is a first-degree misdemeanor.

The details and circumstances of an alleged incident matter. Even if someone did engage in the alleged conduct, details of the incident or defenses may result in a less-serious charge or acquittal.

Protect Your Future

Accusations aren’t fact. Initial charges may not be accurate. Individuals accused of crimes aren’t immediately guilty and have the right to defend against the charges against them.

If you’re facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania, contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. We help protect our clients’ rights as we help them navigate the criminal process and build evidence-based defenses and strategies. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.

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