M’Chigeeng First Nation player commits to Penn State
By Sam Laskaris
M’CHIGEENG FIRST NATION – Kohyn Eshkawkogan, a citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation, will still have to wait more than 10 months to learn which professional club will hold his playing rights. But he now knows where he will play for the next two seasons.
Eshkawkogan, a defenceman, is projected to be an early selection at the 2027 National Hockey League (NHL) draft, which is expected to take place next June at a yet-to-be-announced location.
The teen, who doesn’t turn 18 until November 19, is gearing up for his third season with the Ottawa 67’s, members of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Eshkawkogan also announced on August 1 that he has committed to Penn State University and will begin playing for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 school, starting with the 2027-28 season.
Previously, those who had spent time in any of the three Major Junior leagues, including the OHL, that comprise the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), were not eligible to go on to play in the American collegiate ranks. But NCAA officials had a change of heart and began allowing former CHL participants to suit up at post-secondary schools in the United States of America starting this past season.
Eshkawkogan, a highly touted blueliner with plenty of offensive skills, quickly became a target of American schools who tried to recruit him.
“They started reaching out since the rule change happened,” he said. “And I told schools; I wanted to wait until later on.”
Eshkawkogan said more than 15 NCAA Division 1 schools expressed some interest in his services. With assistance from his agent, he managed to narrow down the list of potential suitors to five. He then had Zoom calls with representatives from those schools.
He decided that Penn State would be the best fit for him.
“I think it’s best for my development,” Eshkawkogan said. “With the coaches there, they had a plan for me when I had a Zoom call. They had a really good plan for me when I go in [there] for [2027], and just the access to the facilities and all the buildings that they have there to help me prepare my game for the pro level.”
Eskhawgogan graduated from high school this past June. He had been attending an Ottawa high school primarily for the past couple of years, but after the 67’s season ended this past Spring, he returned home and took a course at Manitoulin Secondary School in his First Nation.
“I wanted to graduate there, get my diploma there, and walk the stage with my friends that I grew up with,” Eshkawkogan said.
He’ll return to Ottawa on August 25 to prepare for the 67’s coming year. He’ll also have to figure out what sort of schooling to enrol in to remain eligible to play in the nation’s capital.
“I have to talk to my team academic advisor to figure out what course or what thing I’m taking to maintain eligibility,” he said. “But yes, I’m going to take something to keep the brain active. I don’t want to take a full year off.”
Eshkawkogan has also thought ahead to what program he might take at Penn State.
“I’ve been telling my family, I want to go to school for business for a while,” he said. “I’ll pick something that’s like the broad thing I want to study, but I’ll narrow it down once I actually go there.”
By going to Penn State, Eshkawkogan will be following in the footsteps of another Indigenous player.
Gavin McKenna, a citizen of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, spent the 2025-26 season at Penn State. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected McKenna first overall at the 2026 NHL draft held on June 26-27 in Buffalo.
Eshkawkogan is uncertain how long he will remain at Penn State.
“It depends [on] what team drafts me and what they say and if I think I need more time to develop as well,” he said.
Eshkawkogan finished fourth in team scoring this past season and was the 67’s top point-getter among defenceman, earning 53 points (eight goals and 45 assists) in 68 regular season matches.