Gavin McKenna is 'itching' to make his NCAA debut for Penn State: 'I'm pumped for this year'

""I'm itching to play games," he told reporters at the team's media day on Monday. "There's a lot of excitement around our team and obviously I'm pumped for this year.""

""He does think the game differently," Gadowsky said Monday. "He's a different animal when it comes to that, not only compared to any freshman, just compared to anybody. He thinks the game in a very unique, quite amazing way.""

""I didn't know if I was gonna go to college for a long time, but in January, I thought if I was ever gonna go to a college it would be Penn State," he told reporters Monday. "I don't know why, but I had that gut feeling. As soon as I saw this place, I kind of knew I was coming here.""

Gavin McKenna, 17, will likely make his NCAA debut for Penn State this weekend against Arizona State and is projected as the first overall pick in next year’s NHL Draft. McKenna committed to Penn State after three seasons in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, posting 129 points during a championship campaign. He chose Penn State over other Big Ten interest, citing a strong gut feeling after visiting. Head coach Guy Gadowsky praises McKenna’s unique hockey IQ and impact. Penn State reached its first Frozen Four last April and returns aiming for a national championship with McKenna on the roster.

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