Gavin McKenna will be the prize in the 2026 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old forward already considered a future superstar.

But another sweepstakes winner will be determined Tuesday when McKenna announces his NCAA commitment on ESPN’s 6 p.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter.”

It is believed McKenna will choose between Michigan State and Penn State, each Big Ten school hoping to land the generational talent.

“McKenna is in a special category that you only come across every few years,” NHL Central Scouting vice president and director Dan Marr said. “His offensive instincts and playmaking game are truly exceptional and it’s his composure, compete and maturity that really sell you on his talent.”

McKenna (5-foot-11, 162 pounds) has been compared to two NHL greats who are small in stature.

“His game resembles the likes of Patrick Kane and Doug Gilmour, who both had slight builds and were able to utilize their talents to produce and use those same smarts and wits to protect themselves from hockey’s physical elements,” Marr said.

This will be the first season Canadian Hockey League players are eligible to play NCAA hockey after a rule change last year. Previously they had been considered professionals because some CHL players had signed NHL entry-level contracts.

McKenna was second in the Western Hockey League last season with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games with Medicine Hat, and was third in the WHL playoffs with 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 games to help Medicine Hat reach the Memorial Cup, the four-team CHL championship tournament.

He was third in scoring at the Memorial Cup with six points (three goals, three assists) in four games as Medicine Hat lost 4-1 to London in the championship game. McKenna scored his team’s only goal.

He won the Four Broncos Trophy as WHL Player of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award.

McKenna is the third-youngest player to win CHL player of the year award, after John Tavares (2006-07) and Sidney Crosby (2003-04), each of whom was 16 at the time.

He had a modern WHL-record 40-game regular-season point streak (100 points; 32 goals, 68 assists) that extended to 54 games (137 points; 40 goals; 97 assists) in the playoffs to set a modern CHL record (since 2000) for points in consecutive games (regular season, playoffs, Memorial Cup).

Penn State (22-14-4) reached the Frozen Four for the first time in program history last season after defeating Connecticut 3-2 in overtime to win its regional final. It lost 3-1 to Boston University in the national semifinals.

Defenseman Jackson Smith, selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 14 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft, will play at Penn State this season. Among the returning players is expected to be forward Charlie Cerrato, who was second on the team with 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 38 games and was chosen by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (No. 49) of the 2025 NHL Draft. He’s the second-ever Penn State player to be chosen in the NHL draft, and first since Denis Smirnov by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round (No. 156) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Michigan State (26-7-4) has finished first in the Big Ten during the regular season and won the conference tournament each of the past two seasons.

Among the returning players are forward Isaac Howard, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect who won the Hobey Baker Trophy as the most outstanding men’s NCAA hockey player after leading Michigan State and finishing fifth among NCAA players with 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games.

Goalie Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings), who has been the starter the past two seasons and also helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2024 and 2025 World Juniors, also will return.

“His trajectory is generational because when you compare where he is at the same age to some of these other players to get to the NHL as 18-year-olds and have an impact, he’s on that same path,” Central Scouting associate director David Gregory said of McKenna. “When you think of the key skills you have to have in the NHL … you have to be smart, you have to be able to skate and you have to be able to compete. Those three important skills are maybe his three best skills, so we’re not even talking about how great his hands are.

“We don’t use the term ‘five-tool player’ in hockey as much as you hear it used in other sports, but McKenna’s one of those guys. He’s got it.”

NHL.com senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State gymnast Chloe Negrete has been named to the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® Women’s At-Large Second Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.

 

Negrete is one of just 46 NCAA Division I student-athletes to earn Academic All-America At-Large honors and is among only 19 honorees to conclude the academic year with a perfect 4.00 GPA.

 

The 2025 Academic All-District® Women’s At-Large teams, selected by CSC, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom.

 

Negrete earns the honor following a standout final season with the Wolfpack, excelling both athletically and academically. A two-time ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, she capped her decorated career with another standout year in 2025, tallying 24 podium finishes, including 13 individual titles, and recorded 13 scores of 9.900 or better.

 

Negrete’s 2025 campaign was highlighted by a pair of career-high 9.975s on beam, as well as a 9.975 on floor in the Wolfpack’s meet against No. 23 Ohio State. She also earned a personal-best 9.900 on vault at the George Washington quad meet, a performance that secured her ACC Gymnast of the Week honors for Week 10.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan field hockey head coach Kristi Gannon Fisher announced Tuesday (July 8) the addition of Clare Brush and Erin Moore as U-M assistant coaches.

The duo joins fellow assistant coach Ryan Langford, who enters his 17th season with U-M field hockey, to complete Fisher’s first coaching staff since rising to the helm of the program.

“We are thrilled to have Clare back with the program after a few years away,” said Gannon Fisher. “As a two-time captain for our team, she brings a wealth of leadership and field hockey knowledge to our coaching staff. Clare is an Ann Arbor native and knows what it means to be a Wolverine on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I’m excited to work with Clare and to see her influence on the team from the staff side of things after her impactful career as a Michigan student-athlete.”

“I’m very excited to join the Michigan field hockey staff,” said Brush. “I know what it takes to win championships at Michigan as an athlete, and I am looking forward to contributing to the culture of excellence as part of the coaching staff.”

Brush spent five seasons as a Michigan student-athlete (2016-20), twice serving as a Wolverine team captain and the team’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2019, ’20). She appeared in 64 games in maize and blue, starting 34 in the backfield over her final two seasons, and contributed to a defensive unit that allowed just 1.16 goals, 7.83 shots and 3.99 corners per game over a five-year span. During her tenure, Michigan captured three Big Ten regular-season titles and two tournament titles and twice advanced to the NCAA Final Four, earning national runner-up honors in the spring season of 2021.

A four-time NFHCA Collegiate National Academic Team and Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Brush earned her bachelor’s degree in economics, with a minor in sustainability, in 2020 and added a Masters of Management from the Ross School of Business in 2021.

An Ann Arbor native and Pioneer High School graduate, Brush was the 2015 MLive Michigan Field Hockey Player of the Year and a two-time All-State selection and helped lead the Pioneers to three state championships. She started playing field hockey in middle school with Pinnacle Field Hockey Club under former Michigan head coach Nancy Cox and has herself helped coach field hockey with Pinnacle over the last eight years.

Brush is currently the chairperson of Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey, a non-profit organization first established in 2019 to serve and support the growth of field hockey at the local level throughout the Great Lakes Region of the Midwest. She has been a field hockey umpire since 2021 and was elevated to NCAA Division I and Division III games last fall. Off the field, she has spent the last four years working in sales and account management for American Axle and Manufacturing in Detroit.

“Erin brings a range of experience to our staff as a goalkeeper specialist,” said Gannon Fisher. “Her enthusiasm and passion for coaching is contagious, and I am thrilled to have her join our program. Erin’s on-field strengths as a technical coach and off-field strengths as a highly organized and motivated collaborator will be invaluable as we move into this new era of Michigan field hockey.”

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Kristi and the University of Michigan for the incredible opportunity to be a part of the U-M field hockey program,” said Moore. “I also want to thank everyone who was a part of the journey to get here. Team 53 is going to be a memorable team, and I am thrilled to be joining the family. I eagerly anticipate the 2025 season alongside such a talented group of players and staff.”

Moore comes to Michigan with five years of collegiate coaching experience and an additional 11 years coaching and developing middle and high-school-aged athletes. She spent last season as an assistant at the University of Delaware, where she worked directly with goalkeeper Cecile van Eijck, who started all 22 games and posted five shutouts, a 1.37 goals-against average and a .758 save percentage. She helped the Blue Hens capture the 2024 CAA Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

She participated in the “NFHCA to the Olympics Coach Tour” program last summer with stops in the Netherlands, Belgium and at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Prior to Delaware, Moore spent four seasons at Bentley University (2020-24), where she helped lead the Falcons program to three consecutive winning seasons. She was an integral part of the Falcons’ run to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the first for Bentley field hockey since 2012. In 2023, she coached goalkeeper Mia Trottie to NFHCA All-America and Northeast 10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

Moore holds her Level 2 Certification from USA Field Hockey and is FIH Level 1 Certified. A 2023 participant of the NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy, she has been involved as a goalkeepers coach with numerous camps and clinics across the East Coast, including Saint Michael College and the 3 Step Sports, Beyond Sticks, and Nike Field Hockey Camps organizations.

Moore was a four-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper for Regis College in Weston, Mass., where she helped the team to a 2016 New England Collegiate Conference championship. Originally from Rosedale, Md., Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in biology in 2019. She added a Certificate in Foundations of Global Sport Management through NYU in 2023 and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in leadership.

Leanne Wong of Florida has been recognized as a first-team selection on the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America At-Large team for the second consecutive year. She becomes only the third Gator gymnast to achieve this honor twice, adding to Florida’s total of four CSC Academic All-Americans for the 2024-25 season. Wong’s impressive gymnastics performance includes multiple All-America honors and notable achievements, such as leading her team in event wins and graduating magna cum laude in Health Education and Behavior.

By the Numbers

• Wong achieved 29 career All-America honors, ranking third all-time for Gators.
• She was one of four athletes nationwide to earn five WCGA regular-season All-America honors in 2025.
• Wong recorded 27 event wins in 2025, including six all-around titles.

State of Play

• Wong is a finalist for the AAI Award, recognizing her talent and contributions.
• She has been a consistent presence on the SEC Academic Honor Roll throughout her collegiate career.
• Founded the Leanne Wong Foundation in fall 2024, addressing food insecurity issues.

What’s Next

Looking forward, Wong’s continued success in gymnastics and academics may lead to further accolades and potential professional opportunities, both in athletics and community service. Her foundation’s impact could also grow as she raises awareness about food insecurity.

Bottom Line

Wong’s dual achievements in gymnastics and academics highlight her dedication and commitment, serving as an exemplary model for student-athletes. Her ongoing contributions to her sport and community underline the importance of balancing athletic excellence with social responsibility.

The Gavin McKenna decision to play for Penn State next season is further confirmation of how much NCAA rule changes and NIL money is changing the landscape for high profile NHL prospects.

McKenna projects to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Last season, he played for Medicine Hat  in the Western Hockey League. In the past, that would have rendered him ineligible for college hockey. However, new NCAA rules now allow CHL players to play in the college ranks.

That opens the door for McKenna to attend college at least for a school year and presumably collect NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) money that top athletes can receive.

Elite Prospect’s Cam Robinson, who broke the story, points out that OHL standout Luke Misa and 2025 first-round pick Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets) are also headed for Penn State.

In addition to the opportunity to earn NIL money, many of the college programs offer first-rate training facilities. College programs have always sold the idea that college programs offers elite players a chance to compete against older competition, instead of junior-age players.

But allowing CHL players to maintain their college eligibility is the real game changer because youngsters no longer have to decide their future at 16.  It used to be as soon as you played in the CHL you eliminated the college option.

NIL money also gives players a chance to earn money if they want to stay longer in college.  Detroit’s premium goaltending prospect Trey Augustine of Michigan State is playing a third season in college because he wants another crack at winning a national championship.

NIL  money makes it easier for some college athletes to make those decisions.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Former NHL goalie Michael Leighton is hired as Detroit’s new goalie coach.

Pittsburgh writer Dan Kingerski believes Penguins forward Rickard Rakell is a perfect trade fit for the Detroit Red Wings. He scored 35 goals last season.

No Red Wings’ NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City this fall.

Red Wings Extra

Former Red Wings Joe Veleno is still looking for NHL work.  The Montreal Canadiens are not going to sign him.  But other teams reportedly interested. The Seattle Kraken bought out his contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Contrary to reports, I have been told that the @CanadiensMTL did NOT make a formal contract offer to Joe Veleno.

Last week, Joe Veleno’s representation, had talks with at least 3 teams: Colorado, Montreal & Nashville.

Told the Canadiens staff studied his game, discussed it &…

— Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) July 7, 2025

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: The Avalanche used Charlie Coyle to solve their Miles Wood issue. Colorado Avalanche. 

Philadephia: Flyers re-sign RFA defenseman Cam York to a five-year deal.  Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Penguins first round pick Bill Zonnon was one of the winners in the Penguins’ Development Camp. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Vegas: Hannah Kirkell writes about the Jack Eichel contract situation in conjunction with what the Golden Knights have done this summer. Vegas Golden Knights. 

Virginia State University, one of the nation’s leading HBCU institutions, is preparing to unveil a major addition to its campus—the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons. This modern, multipurpose facility will soon serve as the new home for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education.

Replacing the demolished Harris Hall and former campus gymnasium, the new academic commons is more than just a classroom building. It will feature a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a fully equipped theatre, and an exhibition gallery, reflecting VSU’s commitment to holistic student development—both inside and outside the classroom.  The approximately 174,000 square feet building will be the largest on campus.

University President Dr. Makola Abdullah emphasized the role the new space will play in supporting student growth at the HBCU.