Gavin McKenna’s mom allegedly snuck teen hockey phenom alcohol at Pennsylvania bar

Projected first overall pick in next month's NHL draft allegedly broke a man's jaw on Jan. 31. Now his mom is accused of sneaking drinks to him and other minors that night.

Published May 09, 2026  •  2 minute read

Canada forward Gavin McKenna (9) looks on during the second period of a IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship pre-tournament game against Sweden in London, Ont., Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo by Nicole Osborne /The Canadian Press

Gavin McKenna’s mom is now reportedly accused of sneaking alcohol to her son – the expected number one pick overall for next month’s NHL draft – on the night the teen phenom allegedly broke a man’s jaw at a Pennsylvania bar earlier this year.

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Court documents show Krystal McKenna, 44, who resides in Canada, was charged late last month with two misdemeanour counts of furnishing alcohol to minors inside Doggie’s Pub in downtown State College on Jan. 31, the Centre Daily Times reports.

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Gavin McKenna – who many Toronto fans hope will be drafted by the Maple Leafs – and some of his Penn State teammates gathered at the bar following an outdoor hockey game that afternoon.

Later that evening, local authorities said the 18-year-old and his friends became embroiled in an altercation with a 21-year-old man and his pals after leaving the bar.

That altercation allegedly turned physical after words were exchanged and Gavin McKenna – from Whitehorse, Yukon – is accused of punching the man twice in his face.

Penn State’s Gavin McKenna skates against Arizona State during the second period of an NCAA college hockey game, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. Photo by Rick Scuteri /AP Photo

Altercation sparked by man insulting Gavin McKenna’s mom?

While few details have been released about the incident, some reports claim the altercation was sparked by the man insulting McKenna’s mom.

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The man reportedly underwent surgery and had his fractured jaw wired shut for a couple of weeks.

Gavin McKenna was subsequently charged with a felony count of aggravated assault.

However, after reviewing video of the incident, the prosecutor withdrew that serious criminal charge explaining the evidence showed the teen’s actions did not demonstrate intent to cause serious injury or a reckless indifference to human life.

Gavin McKenna, who was freed on $20,000 unsecured bail, instead faces one misdemeanour count of simple assault as well as summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct. His next court date is scheduled for Monday.

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna. TORONTO SUN GRAPHIC

Krystal McKenna allegedly seen on video giving alcohol to son and others

Now a liquor control officer reportedly alleges Krystal McKenna was captured on video by security cameras giving her son an alcoholic drink in a plastic cup inside the bar.

It’s also alleged she ordered two mixed drinks containing vodka at the bar soon after, handed one drink to her son and poured the other into plastic cups for two underage girls.

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While the legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, the bar allows underage patrons inside until 7 p.m. while wearing wristbands to identify them as minors.

A preliminary hearing for Krystal McKenna is set to be held on June 3.

Gavin McKenna scored 15 goals and 36 assists in just 35 games for Penn State this season and is projected to go first overall in the June 27 NHL draft.

In the wake of the Maple Leafs winning the number one pick in the NHL’s draft lottery last Tuesday, many excited Buds fans quickly scooped up Toronto jerseys with McKenna’s number 72 on the back anticipating he will soon be wearing the blue and white.

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