Gavin McKenna is one of the most talked-about prospects in hockey, and he hasn’t even been drafted yet. The 17-year-old forward is far and away the consensus number-one overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, but where he will play in his draft year is still to be determined.

McKenna has spent the past three seasons in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, recording 129 points (41g, 88a) in 56 games last season. While he could stick around for a fourth year in Medicine Hat, there are whispers that he’s headed to the NCAA. And if he does opt for college hockey, one of those options could be the Penn State Nittany Lions.

“I was asking a few people around hockey what they thought, and informal straw poll, I would say Penn State,” hockey insider Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. “That’s who the favorite is. Nothing’s done until it’s done. I was told it would be premature to make any enormous proclamation. But I asked a bunch of people around and said if you had to pick where he’s going to play next year, most of them picked Penn State.”

Penn State is coming off their first-ever appearance in the Frozen Four this past April, falling to the BU Terriers 3-1 in the semifinals. While Friedman says they remain the favorites to land McKenna, the mega-talented youngster will reportedly make several visits to other schools in the US.

McKenna is eligible to jump into the college ranks after the NCAA voted last November to allow Canadian junior players eligibility for Division I play beginning next season. Previously, the NCAA deemed all players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL ineligible due to the presence of some who had already signed professional contracts with NHL teams.

A return to the WHL hasn’t been ruled out, and McKenna could believe he has some unfinished business after leading the Tigers to the Memorial Cup but falling 4-1 to the OHL’s London Knights in the championship game. In 16 playoff games, McKenna recorded 38 points (9g, 29a).

Penn State has produced three NHL players, including Brett Murray, Brandon Biro, and Casey Bailey. Other pro standouts from the school include AHLers Alex Limoges, Ryan Kirwan, Connor MacEachern, Simon Mack, Kris Myllari, Nikita Pavlychev, Nathan Sucese, and Kevin Wall.

The college athletic landscape drastically changed Friday evening when a United States district judge approved a house settlement that will allow universities to directly compensate student-athletes for their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights.

To increase parity across college athletics, each school’s total student-athlete compensation will be capped at $20.5 million per year. In a message to Colorado fans, Colorado athletic director Rick George announced that the department’s entire allotment would be used to “remain competitive” in recruiting. He also shared that CU will adopt a “revenue-share budget that is proportional to the revenue that sport generates.”

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In short, athletes in high-revenue sports like football and men’s basketball will receive higher payouts than those in non-revenue sports.

The ruling does not affect athletes’ ability to earn money through personal NIL deals. However, those deals will be subject to review by a national clearinghouse.

“For the first time ever, we will be able to share our revenue with student-athletes for their name, image and likeness rights to a cap of $20.5 million,” George said in a video posted to the athletic department X account. “In the next month, we’ll also be announcing some exciting new opportunities for student-athletes’ NIL engagement. This will be an incredible opportunity for businesses to work directly with student-athletes to enhance their brand.”

Colorado is significantly more prepared for the changing era of college athletics, with Deion Sanders leading the football program. Under Sanders, interest in Colorado athletics, beyond just football, has grown as more people attend games, generating revenue. With the new ruling, revenue can be distributed across all athletic programs, allowing student-athletes to be compensated, even if most of the revenue and engagement is driven by football.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: NIL house ruling impact on Colorado athletics

Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Logan Maxwell had three hits, including a game-breaking grand slam, and Arkansas defeated defending national champion Tennessee 11-4 on Sunday to sweep the best-of-three Fayetteville Super Regional and advance to the College World Series for the 12th time.

The Razorbacks had a 3-1 lead with two outs in the fourth inning when Maxwell hit a 1-2 pitch over the left-field wall. That was more than enough for third-seeded Arkansas to advance to Omaha, Nebraska.

Arkansas (47-13) will face the winner of the Baton Rouge Super Regional between LSU and West Virginia.

Tennessee (46-18), the No. 14 overall seed, only had two hits when they lost to their SEC rivals 4-3 on Saturday.

The Vols almost became just the third team from their conference to finish a super regional with fewer than 10 total hits. With two hits in the eighth and two in the ninth, including a two-run home run by pinch hitter Jay Abernathy, they finished with eight.

Charles Davalan had a two-run homer in the third for Arkansas. Tennessee got one back in the bottom of the inning, but Maxwell’s big bash broke it open in the fourth.

Tennessee pitchers walked four batters, all in the seventh inning, including two with the bases loaded to fall behind 10-1.

Cole Gibler (3-1) got the win in relief. Tennessee starter Liam Doyle (10-4) took the loss.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

The start of summer is looming in Arizona, and there’s plenty of activity. Phoenix Rising FC’s USL Championship soccer and Arizona Rattlers seasons are in full swing, along with new women’s soccer club Desert Dreams FC.

Here are the news and events happening around Arizona sports.

Rattlers drop 2nd straight, fall in Jacksonville

The Rattlers couldn’t pull out another miracle win, losing their second straight, this time to the Sharks, 54-48, on Saturday, June 7, in Jacksonville.

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Dalton Sneed was intercepted late in the third quarter, leading to a Larry McCammon touchdown run that gave the Sharks a 51-34 lead. Wide receiver Corey Reed Jr.’s third rushing touchdown of the game cut the Rattlers’ deficit to 54-48 with nine minutes left.

After a missed Sharks field goal, the Rattlers took over from their 5-yard line with 52 seconds left and three time outs. The Rattlers could’t capitalize, falling to 7-3 and losing their grip on first place in the IFL Western Division.

The Bay Area Panthers (7-2) moved into first place, ahead of the Rattlers, who return home June 14 to take on the Tucson Sugar Skulls (3-6) at 6 p.m., at Desert Diamond Arena.

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— Richard Obert

The Vegas Golden Knights will include several stops in Arizona the annual road trip from July 12-17.

The VGK Road Trip will feature members of the Golden Knights organization participating in a series of on-ice hockey clinics and meet-and-greets with fans in each city. The team’s mascot, Chance, as well as members of the VGK Cast and team broadcasters, will be on the trip.

The Golden Knights will visit the Chandler Ice Den on July 15, Scottsdale Ice Den and Sunnyslope Community Center in Phoenix on July 16 and Mullett Arena in Tempe and Chicanos por la Causa in Phoenix on July 17.

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The events at the Sunnyslope Community Center and Chicanos por la Causa will be ball hockey clinics.

—Jenna Ortiz

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rattlers lose 2nd straight road game, fall to Sharks

Fisk University’s groundbreaking gymnastics team will be no more after next season, the school announced on Friday. 

According to a release, the Bulldogs plan to discontinue the nation’s first historically Black college or university gymnastics program at the end of the spring 2026 season. 

The decision came after “a comprehensive review of the gymnastics program and its alignment with the HBCU Athletic Conference.” Fisk faced considerable challenges, per the release, in scheduling and recruitment because gymnastics is not sanctioned by the conference.

“While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,” Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan said in the release.

“Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.”

Fisk previously promoted donations for the gymnastics team through its university website. Funds supported scholarships, training, nutrition, travel assistance and equipment upgrades among other expenses, according to the site.

Already departed from the program are its inaugural head coach Corrinne Tarver and six-time national champion Morgan Price. 

Tarver announced her exit from Fisk in February. Price transferred to Arkansas last month. 

The school said after Tarver’s departure that a national search would commence for a new head coach. Former meet director and social media manager Nuriya Mack was named interim coach for the rest of the spring season.

Together they founded the first HBCU to compete in NCAA gymnastics. 

Long before becoming Fisk’s coach in March 2022, Tarver was the first Black woman to win an NCAA all-around gymnastics championship. 

She was promoted to the role of athletic director for the Bulldogs in July 2022 but was replaced by Jordan in 2023.

Price, a Lebanon native and multi-time All-American, was the first HBCU gymnast to record a perfect score with her uneven bar performance this season at Temple University. In April she won five individual titles for Fisk at the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitation Championship.

“Morgan Price has served as a phenomenal ambassador for Fisk University and embodied the incredible ways our institution continues its history-making legacy,” Fisk President Agenia Clark said in a statement following Price’s transfer. “I am extremely proud of all she has accomplished and the light she’s been able to shine on Fisk.”

Fisk’s final gymnastics season will run through April of next year.