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

[TheBeastCoast]

We thinking McKenna ends up in the NCAA in 2025 or 2026, or does he stay in the Dub until going to the NHL?

Most likely stays in the WHL next year I would say.

 

[frontsfan67]

We thinking McKenna ends up in the NCAA in 2025 or 2026, or does he stay in the Dub until going to the NHL?

I think he stays in the dub

The next 2 years Medicine Hat will be very very competitive no reason to go NCAA.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The reality with all of this stuff is no one knows.

I think he’s more likely of the two rumored to sign with Michigan to end up there. The Martone rumor doesn’t make much sense.

 

[Mathieukferland]

4 points and a hat trick through 2

 

[HighLifeManIsHigh]

What this kid is doing is straight up stupid. Leading the entire CHL in scoring and he isn’t 17 yet. Unreal talent

 

[daver]

What this kid is doing is straight up stupid. Leading the entire CHL in scoring and he isn’t 17 yet. Unreal talent

It's not likely he does this but would he be the 2nd youngest to lead the CHL in scoring? Crosby did it as a 16 year old.

 

[jigglysquishy]

It's not likely he does this but would he be the 2nd youngest to lead the CHL in scoring? Crosby did it as a 16 year old.

Crosby is the only player to lead the CHL in scoring prior to his draft year.

 

[Sasso09]

What this kid is doing is straight up stupid. Leading the entire CHL in scoring and he isn’t 17 yet. Unreal talent

Ii fully expect McKenna to be a slight step below McDavid and above all of Bedard, Michkov, Celebrini, Matthews, Mackinnon, Hagens etc

He's that good. The only thing stopping him from being better than McDavid is the skating McDavid has.

 

[SuperScript29]

Goodness, this kid is not even eligible to be drafted until 2026 and he's already leading the WHL by a good chunk. If he wanted, can he do what Matthews did during his draft year and play in Europe?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Goodness, this kid is not even eligible to be drafted until 2026 and he's already leading the WHL by a good chunk. If he wanted, can he do what Matthews did during his draft year and play in Europe?

I am pretty sure Medicine Hat would have to agree to it in order for him to go.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I am pretty sure Medicine Hat would have to agree to it in order for him to go.

I’m wondering though what’s stopping him from deciding he doesn’t care.

Did he sign some enforceable contract with them? Is Hockey Canada all of a sudden going to blacklist their best prospect in a few years?

Seems like when you’re that good you have all the leverage.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I’m wondering though what’s stopping him from deciding he doesn’t care.

Did he sign some enforceable contract with them? Is Hockey Canada all of a sudden going to blacklist their best prospect in a few years?

Seems like when you’re that good you have all the leverage.

I think it wouldn’t be a legal transfer with the IIHF. CHL players do sign player agreements and I am sure a player could attempt to challenge it I highly doubt it will happen though. I think at this point if he were to go anywhere it’s probably NCAA and even that I would be somewhat surprised by but the pathway now is a lot easier to see.

 

[macbowes]

I’m wondering though what’s stopping him from deciding he doesn’t care.

Did he sign some enforceable contract with them? Is Hockey Canada all of a sudden going to blacklist their best prospect in a few years?

Seems like when you’re that good you have all the leverage.

He's a good Canadian kid, I seriously doubt he would want to leave his team high-and-dry, he knows what he is to them. There's basically zero chance he plays in the NCAA.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Ii fully expect McKenna to be a slight step below McDavid and above all of Bedard, Michkov, Celebrini, Matthews, Mackinnon, Hagens etc

He's that good. The only thing stopping him from being better than McDavid is the skating McDavid has.

Which is McDavids biggest asset and the reason he is the best player since Mario Lemieux.

I still think something between Kucherov and peak Huberdeau is where he ends up. I'm not so sure he will be above Matthews or Mackinnon IMHO, but he could be right there, and without a peak McDavid to compete against I could see him being the best offensive player in the nhl someday

 

[GaboriklessWild]

I still think something between Kucherov and peak Huberdeau is where he ends up.

Lmao. That's a pretty big gap.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Lmao. That's a pretty big gap.

Yup and there is definitely a wide range of possibilities for him to end up as a player

 

[Hockeyville USA]

GWG with 16 seconds left to beat Swift Current. 2 points on the night.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Now that McKenna has played his last official game before his 17th birthday, I thought I would put into context how impressive his numbers have been in his 16 year old performances:

McKenna 16 YO (D-2 35GP MH REGULAR SEASON, 5GP MH PLAYOFFS, 7GP U18, D-1 5 GP HG, 30GP MH REGULAR SEASON)

157P 82GP 1.91 PPG

Bédard 16 YO (D-2 0GP, D-1 62GP REG REGULAR SEASON, 2 GP WJC, 4GP U18)

112P 68GP 1.64

McDavid 16 YO (D-2 25GP ERI REGULAR SEASON, 7GP U18, D-1 34GP ERI REGULAR SEASON, 7GP WJC)

99P 73GP 1.35PPG

 

[jigglysquishy]

Medicine Hat plays close to me on Friday but McKenna already left for Team Canada.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

So what number will he wear with Pittsburgh Penguins ? lol.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

How did he do in the pre tournament game?

 

[macbowes]

How did he do in the pre tournament game?

I thought he looked good, even though he started the game as the extra forward. He was overpassing a little bit, but that's to be expected as the youngest guy on the team, as he's trying to be deferential to the older guys. His hands are absolutely insane, and clearly the best on the team. Kane-esque. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get an increasingly large role as the tournament goes on, just because he's so dynamic with the puck.

 

[Mathieukferland]

This guy is absolute money on the big stage

 

[Tanknation]

Ii fully expect McKenna to be a slight step below McDavid and above all of Bedard, Michkov, Celebrini, Matthews, Mackinnon, Hagens etc

He's that good. The only thing stopping him from being better than McDavid is the skating McDavid has.

One doesn't belong there

 

[MrCreamm]

He's got the clutch gene for sure, some guys have it some guys don't. Had the hattrick in the U18s against the US too.