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

[Pavel Buchnevich]

When you choose to ignore birthdates, you've already made a choice. The stats will, or should, always favor the older player. Particularly in the standard development chl model where some 1st time draft elgibles are 3rd year players, and some 2cnd year players. Thinking it's not a factor is just burying your head in the sand.

I don’t think I said ignore birthdates, so I’m not sure what you’re arguing against.

 

[Bubbles]

1G, 2A tonight. His goal was very nice, top corner. Should have had 2 more assists if Ritchie didn't miss 2 empty nets.

 

[CaviarAndRinkFries]

 

[landy92mack29]

1G, 2A tonight. His goal was very nice, top corner. Should have had 2 more assists if Ritchie didn't miss 2 empty nets.

he should've had about 5 more points if the Blades goalie didn't play unreal and his teammates(plus himself on a breakaway) finished better. In person it's unreal how easy it is for him to find the soft spots in the zones and how he knows exactly where to be off puck. He just lets the game come to him but when needed does turn on the after burners

 

[Bubbles]

he should've had about 5 more points if the Blades goalie didn't play unreal and his teammates(plus himself on a breakaway) finished better. In person it's unreal how easy it is for him to find the soft spots in the zones and how he knows exactly where to be off puck. He just lets the game come to him but when needed does turn on the after burners

That's the skill that can't be taught, knowing where the puck is going to be. Special players always have that skill.

I can only imagine if he got a better player like Catton or Cristall to play with, his points would be even crazier.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

That's the skill that can't be taught, knowing where the puck is going to be. Special players always have that skill.

I can only imagine if he got a better player like Catton or Cristall to play with, his points would be even crazier.

Imagine if Lindstrom was healthy and producing like the average top pick 5 D+1 CHLer, McKenna could be over 110 right now.

 

[Bubbles]

Imagine if Lindstrom was healthy and producing like the average top pick 5 D+1 CHLer, McKenna could be over 110 right now.

Lindstrom centres the 2nd line but yeah he would have definitely helped the power play. Also, Basha's been out most of the year as well.

Ritchie hasn't really clicked as well with McKenna as I thought he would.

 

[frontsfan67]

Wonder how many points he would've put up with Lindstrom healthy.

My guess is less since he wouldn’t have the puck on his stick as much

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

 

[Hockeyville USA]

2 points today, now at 48 GP, 99 PTS

 

[Mototik]

As much of a WHL fan I am and would hate to see it (though as a fan of a Med Hat rival wouldn't mind it as much) I could see him being one of the few CHL players where jumping to the NCAA for their D-Y would be beneficial. I personally think the competition level discussion between the CHL and NCAA for the majority of prospects is a tad overblown, but McKenna has probably hit the point where he has surpassed what the CHL can offer him and the older competition of the NCAA might give him another challenge. Kind of like a kid being skipped a grade in school.

Maybe he's not interested in that challenge/is content with his situation with the Tigers and doesn't want to further uproot his life for potentially only one year or isn't inclined academically or wants to be continue to etch his name in the upper echelon of CHL scorers, but he could be a good fit for the NCAA next year. Next year's Tigers may also be a bit up in the air as well which could also be a factor.

 

[Just Linda]

As much of a WHL fan I am and would hate to see it (though as a fan of a Med Hat rival wouldn't mind it as much) I could see him being one of the few CHL players where jumping to the NCAA for their D-Y would be beneficial. I personally think the competition level discussion between the CHL and NCAA for the majority of prospects is a tad overblown, but McKenna has probably hit the point where he has surpassed what the CHL can offer him and the older competition of the NCAA might give him another challenge. Kind of like a kid being skipped a grade in school.

Maybe he's not interested in that challenge/is content with his situation with the Tigers and doesn't want to further uproot his life for potentially only one year or isn't inclined academically or wants to be continue to etch his name in the upper echelon of CHL scorers, but he could be a good fit for the NCAA next year. Next year's Tigers may also be a bit up in the air as well which could also be a factor.

With the rumours that Cayden Lindstrom is going to NCAA (Ohio State?) next year, I would be more surprised if he stayed than if he went.

I just don't see what going back to the WHL will offer McKenna. I'd love to see him go the Matthews route but I haven't heard any talk of him joining a team in Europe. I'd love to see him play for Frolunda in the SHL under Ronnberg but I doubt we will ever be that lucky.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

With the rumours that Cayden Lindstrom is going to NCAA (Ohio State?) next year, I would be more surprised if he stayed than if he went.

I just don't see what going back to the WHL will offer McKenna. I'd love to see him go the Matthews route but I haven't heard any talk of him joining a team in Europe. I'd love to see him play for Frolunda in the SHL under Ronnberg but I doubt we will ever be that lucky.

Matthews was such a unique case, so until another high profile American or a Canadian actually goes the European Pro route, I highly doubt it happens. Just not the cultural thing to do for high end players from the States and Canada.

 

[Mathieukferland]

As much of a WHL fan I am and would hate to see it (though as a fan of a Med Hat rival wouldn't mind it as much) I could see him being one of the few CHL players where jumping to the NCAA for their D-Y would be beneficial. I personally think the competition level discussion between the CHL and NCAA for the majority of prospects is a tad overblown, but McKenna has probably hit the point where he has surpassed what the CHL can offer him and the older competition of the NCAA might give him another challenge. Kind of like a kid being skipped a grade in school.

Maybe he's not interested in that challenge/is content with his situation with the Tigers and doesn't want to further uproot his life for potentially only one year or isn't inclined academically or wants to be continue to etch his name in the upper echelon of CHL scorers, but he could be a good fit for the NCAA next year. Next year's Tigers may also be a bit up in the air as well which could also be a factor.

I would agree. Playing less games and being able to develop physically would be an ideal development year for someone who’s hockey skills are so absurdly exceptional but who is physically underdeveloped. After seeing what a good job Pandolfo did with Celebrini, that would be a nice place to see him

 

[Mototik]

Matthews was such a unique case, so until another high profile American or a Canadian actually goes the European Pro route, I highly doubt it happens. Just not the cultural thing to do for high end players from the States and Canada.

Yeah, I don't know if the Matthews route is feasible for the vast, vast majority of players. He was two days too young for the 2015 draft, was at the time not signed to any other team so was free of transfer rules, was approached by Marc Crawford, the Canadian coach of Zurich, at the time who was willing to add him and was physically/mentally in a spot where the move worked. It was a situation where all the stars aligned that might not ever happen again and if it would, I think we would have seen it already.

I would agree. Playing less games and being able to develop physically would be an ideal development year for someone who’s hockey skills are so absurdly exceptional but who is physically underdeveloped. After seeing what a good job Pandolfo did with Celebrini, that would be a nice place to see him

That's also a great point too. I wasn't even thinking of that aspect when I posted, I was just thinking of being able to play games against people in their 20s.

 

[crosbyshow]

With the rumours that Cayden Lindstrom is going to NCAA (Ohio State?) next year, I would be more surprised if he stayed than if he went.

I just don't see what going back to the WHL will offer McKenna. I'd love to see him go the Matthews route but I haven't heard any talk of him joining a team in Europe. I'd love to see him play for Frolunda in the SHL under Ronnberg but I doubt we will ever be that lucky.

Look. Mario Lemieux....

The dude was a late.....born on October 5th.

He played at 18 in the Q....and did 282 points in 70 games and 133 goals...

He always said after ....that season helped a lot for his future....for his strength, abilities , confidence etc...

Mckenna is great but he is not Mario...so let him in the WHL

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Look. Mario Lemieux....

The dude was a late.....born on October 5th.

He played at 18 in the Q....and did 282 points in 70 games and 133 goals...

He always said after ....that season helped a lot for his future....for his strength, abilities , confidence etc...

Mckenna is great but he is not Mario...so let him in the WHL

I don't think Mckenna is struggling with confidence, nor will he struggle against NCAA competition to the extent that it hurts his confidence.

The lighter schedule and extra off ice development time could do wonders for a wiry skilled kid like Mckenna.

 

[crosbyshow]

I don't think Mckenna is struggling with confidence, nor will he struggle against NCAA competition to the extent that it hurts his confidence.

The lighter schedule and extra off ice development time could do wonders for a wiry skilled kid like Mckenna.

Mario did not struggled too at 17 trust me but he said that his confidence was even better after this extra season.

Anyhow....I think it worked well ....

 

[newmanager]

I doubt ncaa is even a consideration for McKenna. It'll be like going back to his minor hockey days when he'd play a 32 game season plus playoffs and tournaments. The kids I know want to play more games not less.

 

[Just Linda]

Look. Mario Lemieux....

The dude was a late.....born on October 5th.

He played at 18 in the Q....and did 282 points in 70 games and 133 goals...

He always said after ....that season helped a lot for his future....for his strength, abilities , confidence etc...

Mckenna is great but he is not Mario...so let him in the WHL

Mario played in 83 (give or take a year), that was 42 years ago.

The league was quite a bit different back then, the average age of the league was a fair bit younger too. Hockey itself is a completely game than it was 40 years ago. You have to be much better at being a top peg in a total system than back then, it's less about individual dominance and more about complete skills. The development path of Mario and McKenna don't really project the same, they have different developmental needs.