Gavin McKenna knew the haters would be ready to pounce.
The 17-year-old center was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. It is quite possible that this will eventually happen.
There has also been criticism since McKenna dumped the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers for Penn State of the NCAA. In USA College Hockey this season, the Whitehorse product has 18 points in 16 games (tourism with a shorter schedule, older players and a more defensive structure) after dominating the 2024-25 junior season with 129 points in 56 contests.
McKenna, who was looking to take on other challenges as part of his “building year” in hopes of better preparing himself for a professional career, is expected to be a key part of Canada's attack at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship.
And the country certainly has a motivated player.
“I don't mind it at all,” he said Monday in training camp about the draft chatter. “Sometimes having people constantly pump up your tires is not the best thing for you. People expected me to fail… that fires me up.”
McKenna had 41 goals and 88 assists in the WHL last season, including a 40-point streak. He scored just four goals in the 2025-26 season, but he's not worried about the noise and production for the Nittany Lions in State College, Pennsylvania.
“I just try to take it with a grain of salt,” McKenna said. “Where my game is at, if people are watching, if people are smart about hockey and actually watch the game and not just look at the numbers, they would know. I'm sure.
“I played well. The pucks weren’t going in my net, I wasn’t getting the rebounds, but I think with the world juniors to build my confidence and then get it back in the second half, I think that’s going to be really important for me.”
Canada is certainly counting on this.
The country finished a disastrous fifth on home soil in Ottawa last year – McKenna is one of six returners – a second straight disappointing quarter-final exit at the annual showpiece event.
“He's a great guy,” said Alan Millar, general manager of Canada's under-20 men's program. “People are focused on a small window. He's still a player who won a WHL championship and scored over 120 points.”
A rule change south of the border allowed players like McKenna to advance to the NCAA despite already wearing junior uniforms, a major change that was not allowed until this season.
The move coincided with schools being allowed to lure recruits with name, image and likeness (NIL) endorsement money. Canadian Hockey League players were previously barred from competing in US colleges because they were considered professional players due to receiving monthly living stipends.
Porter Marton, who skated atop Team Canada with McKenna and Cole Beaudoin in camp, made a similar move, heading to Michigan State from the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Steelheads.
“He's got a great mind, a great head on his shoulders,” Martone, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, said of McKenna. “He will take part in this tournament and perhaps rid himself of those doubters.”
McKenna said there is a big difference in approach when comparing the CHL and NCAA.
“Defensively it’s a lot harder, there’s less time and space, guys are faster,” he said of the American college game. “It’s an experienced league as well, but it’s just simpler hockey—rumble and grind, trying to get into the dirty spots to find ways to score.”
The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman added that the factors considered when completing the college route extend far beyond the icy surface.
“Living on your own, learning how to be an adult,” McKenna said. “I wanted to spend more time in the gym, strengthen my body.
“It’s all about getting me ready to play in the NHL.”
McKenna's teammates are looking forward to seeing what he will do on another big stage when Canada opens its tournament against the Czech Republic in Minneapolis on Dec. 26.
“It'll be a time where he gives all these people something else to talk about, maybe shut them up a little bit,” said forward Cole Reshni, the Calgary Flames' 18th overall pick in the 2025 draft. “But I don't think there should be any doubt he will personally be number one. He could go back to the Western Hockey League and score 150 points.”
“He chose a more difficult path, and this will prepare him for professional hockey. It’s not easy, but it will benefit him.”
Taking this route could also be a big boost for Canada as the country, still licking its wounds from the last two tournaments, is gunning for its 21st gold medal.
“He's an elite talent,” Millar said. “We have no doubt in Gavin McKenna.”
