Local hockey fans will be able to get a first look at Gavin McKenna as a member of Penn State’s hockey team this weekend.
NHL Network and the NHL’s YouTube challenge will air the talented prospect’s NCAA debut with the Nittany Lions as they play a two-game series against Arizona State University on Friday, October 3 (10 pm EST) and Saturday, October 4 (8 pm EST).
Penn State comes into the game as the fifth ranked team in the nation while Arizona State is 14th.
NHL Network will air the games on television and the NHL’s YouTube will stream the games online for free.
McKenna, 17, is expected to be the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“I’m itching to play games,” McKenna said on media day Monday. “There’s a lot of excitement around our team and obviously I’m pumped for this year.”
McKenna committed to Penn State after spending the previous three seasons in junior with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The full details about the telecast are below via an NHL press release:
NHL Top Prospect Gavin McKenna to Make NCAA Debut on NHL Network and NHL YouTube
Penn State University Forward Expected to Play Two-Game Series Against Arizona State University on October 3 and 4
NEW YORK (Oct. 1, 2025) – The National Hockey League today announced a broadcast partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), that will make NHL Top Prospect Gavin McKenna’s NCAA debut available worldwide – streamed live on NHL YouTube and broadcast on NHL Network in the United States.
The Penn State University (USA Hockey College Hockey Poll No. 5-ranked) Nittany Lions’ forward is expected to play his first two games at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz. against ASU (No. 14-ranked) on Friday, October 3 (10 p.m. ET) and Saturday, October 4 (8 p.m. ET) when the two Clubs meet for their season-opening series.
The game feed and call will be provided courtesy of FOX 10 Phoenix (Tyler Paley, play-by-play and Alex Coil, color analyst) with NHL Network’s studio team presenting all pre-puck drop and post-game coverage on NHL platforms as well as intermission reports for both games. NHLN Host Tony Luftman and analyst E. J. Hradek will provide extensive coverage for Friday’s game, while Erika Wachter and Kevin Weekes will have all the news and analysis during Saturday’s matchup
This weekend’s marquee series will also be streamed live on the NCHC’s digital network, NCHC.tv. All games in an NCHC venue are available live on NCHC.tv throughout the 2025-26 season.
