F Gavin McKenna - Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL (2026 Draft)

[nergish]

Whether McKenna is a lock for first reminds me of Spezza back in the day. Viewed as a prodigy of sorts, had a great OHL season as a 15 year old, made Canada's WJC team as a 16year old, seemed like a lock to go #1 for several years. Ended up as the clearcut number 2 by the time he was drafted, and rightly so.

Pretty apt comparison, but I just don't see anybody usurping this guy for 1OA.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Pretty apt comparison, but I just don't see anybody usurping this guy for 1OA.

Was Kovalchuk a known commodity in N.A. Hockey circles over 2 years prior to that draft?

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Bedard scored 14 points in 7 games in his 16 year old u18 wjc
McKenna has 14 points in 3 games + 2 periods.

yes it is the round robin, so lets wait and see

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Bedard scored 14 points in 7 games in his 16 year old u18 wjc
McKenna has 14 points in 3 games + 2 periods.

yes it is the round robin, so lets wait and see

Bedard had Russia in his first u18, McKenna does not have Russia in here, so something to factor in

 

[kyle44]

Bedard scored 14 points in 7 games in his 16 year old u18 wjc
McKenna has 14 points in 3 games + 2 periods.

yes it is the round robin, so lets wait and see

He did not. Bedard was in his 15 year old season, as has been pointed out to you ad nauseum.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

He did not. Bedard was in his 15 year old season, as has been pointed out to you ad nauseum.

Well, McKenna started this season as an 15 year old, also just few days shy of being 2027 draft pick
but yeah, i guess i forgot that he was 15 then, he did turn 16 in the same year though

yes, i agree

 

[kyle44]

Well, McKenna started this season as an 15 year old, also just few days shy of being 2027 draft pick
but yeah, i guess i forgot that he was 15 then, he did turn 16 in the same year though

yes, i agree

That does not matter whatsoever and Bedard did not turn 16 during the season. McKenna would've needed to put up 14 points in 7 games last season at the U-18 for it to be comparable.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Bedard was playing 2nd line/PP2 to start at the 2021 U18. Not sure if he moved up over the course of his 5 point game against Czechia.



Guenther
Clarke
Othmann
Wright
Zhilkin

out there on the first powerplay

 

[Bubbles]

6 PTS and people want to argue with George Leafer?? We need a separate thread to talk about McKenna.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Well, McKenna started this season as an 15 year old, also just few days shy of being 2027 draft pick
but yeah, i guess i forgot that he was 15 then, he did turn 16 in the same year though

yes, i agree

Yep only 271 days shy of being a 2027 draft pick.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Yep only 271 days shy of being a 2027 draft pick.

He was born December 20th, 12 from January 1st.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

he was born december 20th, 12 days later he would have been 2027 draft eligible...

Doesn't work like that. September 15th is the last day of the draft year, since training camp starts after.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Doesn't work like that. September 15th is the last day of the draft year, since training camp starts after.

Yeah, i got the year mixed there, my bad.

 

[Roasted Nuts]

Anyone have a rough guess on how McKenna compares to Hagens? Just excited for the new future of the NHL.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Anyone have a rough guess on how McKenna compares to Hagens? Just excited for the new future of the NHL.

More dynamic skillset than Hagens but would probably go behind him if they were the same age because he plays wing and is not as good 200ft as Hagens

 

[rahad]

More dynamic skillset than Hagens but would probably go behind him if they were the same age because he plays wing and is not as good 200ft as Hagens

Pretty sure McKenna is going to play center next season.

 

[landy92mack29]

Hagens is also not a good 200ft player at all, McKenna would go ahead of him next year. there's a decent chance others next year will also

 

[WarriorofTime]

Hagens is also not a good 200ft player at all.

there's a decent chance others next year will also

?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Hagens is also not a good 200ft player at all, McKenna would go ahead of him next year. there's a decent chance others next year will also

What? Hagens absolutely is a good 200 foot player. He’s 53% on face offs and on PK1 at the current U18 tournament.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Hagens is also not a good 200ft player at all, McKenna would go ahead of him next year. there's a decent chance others next year will also

No need to make things up about Hagens to try and boost McKenna. They are both awesome talents with tons of upside.

 

[scoutman1]

Hagens is also not a good 200ft player at all, McKenna would go ahead of him next year. there's a decent chance others next year will also

you must be Mckenna's parent because Hagens has a good 200 foot game that is only going to get better....McKenna is amazing in his own right

 

[JotAlan]

More dynamic skillset than Hagens but would probably go behind him if they were the same age because he plays wing and is not as good 200ft as Hagens

That's how I think, but Mckenna has a whole year of more development to do. I believe Mckenna will be a substantially better scorer in the NHL, but Hagens closes the gap with the overall player he is.

 

[LeProspector]

That's how I think, but Mckenna has a whole year of more development to do. I believe Mckenna will be a substantially better scorer in the NHL, but Hagens closes the gap with the overall player he is.

Excellent post.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

No need to make things up about Hagens to try and boost McKenna. They are both awesome talents with tons of upside.

How can Hagens be any good defensively if he doesn't play in the WHL?

 

[wetcoast]

Was Kovalchuk a known commodity in N.A. Hockey circles over 2 years prior to that draft?

Not really but that was over 20 years ago, anyone with even a remote chance to being the #1 overall is already known in 2024.