Earlier this month projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, officially announced his commitment to Penn State University Men’s Hockey for the 2025-26 season.
In hockey, you typically don’t have to play in college any time before entering the pro ranks — you could play Juniors, in Europe. This commitment, however, marks a major shift in college hockey recruiting, with NIL deals beginning to play a crucial role.
This decision reflects the growing trend of CHL (Canadian Hockey League) players opting for the NCAA... in large part due to NIL opportunities (why play for development and experience alone when you can do that while playing for money?)
It’s not just football, basketball, revenue generating sports that are getting players - and programs - to rethink their process and their path with NIL. *though this is very much a ‘football school’.
Gavin has reportedly secured a $700,000 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, the richest NIL package in college hockey history (and one that significantly exceeds Michigan State’s offer of $300,000... and at a more traditionally renown hockey program).
NIL changes are just getting started - quicker than I thought they’d really shake up hockey, but here we are!
Want to review anything NIL-related? Questions about recruiting or your college prep process? Don't hesitate to reach out!
In hockey, you typically don’t have to play in college any time before entering the pro ranks — you could play Juniors, in Europe. This commitment, however, marks a major shift in college hockey recruiting, with NIL deals beginning to play a crucial role.
This decision reflects the growing trend of CHL (Canadian Hockey League) players opting for the NCAA... in large part due to NIL opportunities (why play for development and experience alone when you can do that while playing for money?)
It’s not just football, basketball, revenue generating sports that are getting players - and programs - to rethink their process and their path with NIL. *though this is very much a ‘football school’.
Gavin has reportedly secured a $700,000 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, the richest NIL package in college hockey history (and one that significantly exceeds Michigan State’s offer of $300,000... and at a more traditionally renown hockey program).
NIL changes are just getting started - quicker than I thought they’d really shake up hockey, but here we are!
Want to review anything NIL-related? Questions about recruiting or your college prep process? Don't hesitate to reach out!
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