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

[StreetHawk]

I think with McKenna you’re talking more about the WHL not being challenging enough. NCAA hockey is better hockey and would challenge the areas he needs to improve. He might be too good for the WHL in his draft year, and might ideally want to play somewhere else.

Then again, I don’t know if this process will work so quickly. I don’t think everything we’ve seen for years is going to become the exact opposite right away. Will probably take a few years, and thus not include players like McKenna. Maybe DuPont.

I don't believe the new CHL/NCAA rules would apply to him. Playing in the WHL vs a tier II league, has been better for his development to date. As a late birthday, assuming he did begin school in the year he turned 5 (a lot of places, especially in the USA, the cutoff to begin school is Sept 1, that you have to turn 5, otherwise, you begin K in the year you turn 6). So, he would have typically go from tier II to the NCAA for the 25/26 season.

If he could go NCAA for 25/26, I do believe that would be a step up as he'd be one of the younger players there vs more players in their early 20's. But, again, I don't believe that the new agreement allows for that.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Who is the last D-1 player to win the CHL scoring title? Granted he’ll probably have to increase his lead prior to leaving for Christmas to do that but it’s not impossible

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

View attachment 929694 Who is the last D-1 player to win the CHL scoring title? Granted he’ll probably have to increase his lead prior to leaving for Christmas to do that but it’s not impossible

Wasn’t it Lafreniere?

 

[JackSlater]

View attachment 929694 Who is the last D-1 player to win the CHL scoring title? Granted he’ll probably have to increase his lead prior to leaving for Christmas to do that but it’s not impossible

It would be Crosby. Notably Crosby was not a late birthday and was a CHL rookie. I don't think anyone else has ever done it.

Wasn’t it Lafreniere?

He was CHL MVP before his draft season, but he didn't lead the CHL in scoring.

 

[kaiser matias]

Set up both goals against Edmonton so far tonight.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Set up both goals against Edmonton so far tonight.

In an alternate universe, I would totally believe if you meant the Edmonton NHL team, both due to how porous their defense is and because I think McKenna could probably set up two goals in the NHL tonight.

 

[Michanko]

was at his game last night to watch him and Blake Fiddler.

It seemed he had an “off” game and was still the best player on the ice by quite a bit and had 2 primary assists in a 2-1 win (floridas pick sawchyn looked good as well but he’s 19 i believe)

His IQ is off the charts, his first stride separates him from players so fast, slows the game down, was out there with a minute left with a lead. Just crazy to see that talent from a 16 year old

 

[Mathieukferland]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859056524137553954

3 point night topped off by this snipe in front of what appears to be a friends and family-only crowd in Saskatoon…. I think it’s too early to use the G word but with his top end skating and shot having developed the way it has in the past 18 months I view him more in the franchise-level now instead of first line elite

 

[wetcoast]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859056524137553954

3 point night topped off by this snipe in front of what appears to be a friends and family-only crowd in Saskatoon…. I think it’s too early to use the G word but with his top end skating and shot having developed the way it has in the past 18 months I view him more in the franchise-level now instead of first line elite

Just for fun where would he rank this year?

Would he top Hagens, who was excellent tonight.

 

[macbowes]

His puckhanding, creativity, and speed with the puck is top tier. Offensively, I don't think there's a better prospect.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Just for fun where would he rank this year?

Would he top Hagens, who was excellent tonight.

On pure talent he’s the best player of the 4 I would consider to be contenders for first in this hypothetical situation (McKenna, Misa, Schaefer, Hagens), but him being a winger might have him go behind Misa and Hagens. My pick would be McKenna though

 

[WeThreeKings]

Just for fun where would he rank this year?

Would he top Hagens, who was excellent tonight.

He would go 1st overall with a bullet.

 

[MHO]

I would argue he could become a better prospect than Bedard and approach McDavid level hype by draft time. Dude is putting up 2 points a game as a 16 year old in the WHL. Hands are incredible and can skate

 

[Hockeyville USA]

2 points again today. 46 points in 23 games.

 

[93LEAFS]

I would argue he could become a better prospect than Bedard and approach McDavid level hype by draft time. Dude is putting up 2 points a game as a 16 year old in the WHL. Hands are incredible and can skate

By CHL standards this counts as a 17 year old season. Not arguing your main point (Bedard vs McKenna) but that's important when it comes to Canadian development, he grew up playing that age group (or for talents like him above it). I think the crazier thing his how remote how he grew up and is breaking out like this is.

 

[Quinning]

He looks like the best prospect since McDavid.

 

[Intangir]

I would argue he could become a better prospect than Bedard and approach McDavid level hype by draft time. Dude is putting up 2 points a game as a 16 year old in the WHL. Hands are incredible and can skate

I would argue that if we forget stats completely in this case and look only at both players' respective toolsets in isolation, that McKenna simply has better tools right now than Bedard did in his D-1 season for the Pats.

I find McKenna a bit more creative with the puck than Bedard was at that age. And I also think McKenna has slightly better skating, better puck-protection technique, and better defender-manipulation skills too than Bedard.

And I say that while still convinced that Bedard will eventually be amongst the game's very best offensive players, so that's really saying something.

I'd also say that McKenna is the better defensive player compared to prospect Bedard, but that bar is quite low to clear so that isn't nearly as glowing a praise as the other stuff.

Anyhow, I don't know which NHL team will win the lottery for the first-overall in 2026, but whomever it is will be in for a tremendous treat.

 

[ORRFForever]

I would argue he could become a better prospect than Bedard and approach McDavid level hype by draft time. Dude is putting up 2 points a game as a 16 year old in the WHL. Hands are incredible and can skate

Canada is cranking off one great prospect after another.