Penn State is making some serious noise in the recruiting world and seems to be in the mix for some of the biggest names available. The Nittany Lions have positioned themselves as frontrunners for three of the most highly touted uncommitted CHL prospects currently exploring the NCAA route. As conversations heat up behind the scenes, Penn State is reportedly offering big time NIL packages to target high-end CHL players. As college hockey’s offseason heats up, sources indicate Penn State is firmly in the mix and possibly leading in what could be a program-altering recruiting haul.

Gavin Mckenna | Medicine Hat Tigers
McKenna remains the most highly anticipated uncommitted prospect on the board, and the hockey world continues to wait on his decision. Elliotte Friedman recently reported that Penn State seems to have emerged as the frontrunner. A generational talent, McKenna posted a historic 129 points in 56 games this past season in the WHL. From what we are hearing, his decision appears to be narrowed down to Penn State and Michigan State, with the Nittany Lions currently holding a slight edge. McKenna is expected to take his time and visit both programs in the coming weeks before making a final call.

Porter Martone | Brampton Steelheads
Projected to be a top-five pick in this year’s NHL Draft, Martone is coming off a dominant season with the Brampton Steelheads, where he put up 98 points in just 57 games. While Martone will be pushing to crack an NHL lineup right away, there’s still a chance he takes the college route if a pro opportunity doesn’t come about. From what we have heard, Penn State is the only program he's been linked to, though it’s widely believed that several other big time schools are in the mix. For now, the future of one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects remains uncertain but Penn State appears to be firmly in the conversation.

Jackson Smith | Tri-City Americans
Smith, another one of the top prospects eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, is currently wrapping up a visit to Penn State and all indications suggest the Nittany Lions are in a strong position to land the No. 3 ranked defensemen in the ’07 class. While there remains a possibility of a pro contract, the expectation is that Smith will commit to Penn State before the draft. He would be a significant addition, bringing a smooth-skating, modern-day style blue liner to Happy Valley.