‘I want to lead this team’: All eyes will be on Gavin McKenna at the World Juniors
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Gavin McKenna has seen the naysayers.
Considered by most to be the undisputed top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, some scouts are starting to think otherwise. A big move to the NCAA hasn’t paid off with the big production many expected – but McKenna isn’t too fussed about it.
In fact, the discourse fires him up.
“I’m confident going into the tournament,” the 17-year-old said. “There’s a lot of chatter around my year and stuff, but I think it’s a growth year for me.”
McKenna, 18, enters his second World Juniors having registered four goals and 18 points in 16 games at Penn State. It’s not low, by any means – and it’s first among draft eligibles. But given Macklin Celebrini’s 64-point campaign in 2023-24, or Adam Fantilli’s 65-point freshman run, it’s been an underwhelming season.
The Whitehorse, Yukon native isn’t too concerned about the numbers. He has one of the most important attributes any young player can possess: confidence.
“I’m playing against harder guys,” McKenna continued. “I could have stayed in the [WHL and put up a bunch of points, but I wanted to challenge myself this year and I’ve been getting challenged. I think that being in the NCAA prepares me for this tournament, and hopefully I have a good one.”
McKenna played a top-six role with Canada as a 17-year-old a year ago. He registered just one goal as he and the entire Canadian roster struggled to generate quality chances. It was a disappointing effort from the top prospect, especially after watching him put up 20 points in seven games at the U-18 World Championship a few months prior.
With some questioning McKenna’s future as a No. 1 prospect, the spotlight will be on him all tournament long. He should be Canada’s top left winger, likely playing alongside San Jose Sharks forward Michael Misa and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone. Some scouts expect a minimum of 10 points out of McKenna, but 15 points definitely isn’t out of the equation.
A good showing in Minnesota should help his draft stock soar high again.
“A lot of people forget how hard college hockey is,” Martone said. “He’s still a young kid, but I think he has adjusted tremendously. We played him in two games this year, and he was unbelievable the things he does with the puck. It’s a different style of hockey. It does take time, but I think he’s translated really well. He’s a brilliant hockey mind.”
Is he feeling the pressure?
“Of course, it’s pressure,” McKenna said. “But I’ve dealt with it my whole life, so it’s nothing new to me. I experienced it last year a little bit. It’s nothing new. I’m prepared and I’m expecting it.”
McKenna has plenty of big game experience already. He won gold at the U-18 World Championship and the U-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Last year, he helped Medicine Hat win the WHL title, and then capped off his junior career at the Memorial Cup. Add in the extra pressure of being in the hockey spotlight for half a decade, and that’s a lot for a young player to take in.
“He’s been through a lot, but he’s an experienced younger guy, if you want to call it that,” coach Dale Hunter said. “We’re expecting big things from him as a returning guy. He knows what to expect and how tough it is.”
So far, so good, though. McKenna had a pair of assists in Canada’s first pre-tournament game against Sweden, considered by many to be Canada’s most formidable contender for gold. McKenna played on the top line alongside Montreal’s Michael Hage and Nashville’s Brady Martin, with the line scoring both of Canada’s goals. Canada will play Denmark in the final pre-tournament outing on Tuesday before facing off against Czechia on Boxing Day.
“Playing with Gavin [McKenna] is so easy,” Martin said. “He is such a smart player, and he always finds a way to get the puck to you or to a good spot on the ice.”
“His play speaks for itself,” goaltender Carter George added. “He’s been incredible. He’s super deceptive with his shot and he plays in the right spot.”
McKenna’s play will be heavily scrutinized from here on out. Every pass, every shot, every mistake, even game-changing move – people will be watching. Scouts want to see a level of intensity away from the puck that he has often lacked in college. They want to see him rise to the occasion in a big moment, just like when he scored four goals in the U-18 World Championship gold-medal game in 2024.
McKenna expects that out of himself, too.
“I expect to be one of the top guys,” McKenna said. “I want to lead this team, and show the guys what it takes, and hopefully lead us to a gold medal.”
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