Gavin McKenna, a 16-year-old Yukoner and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in citizen, has been drafted onto Team Canada’s final 25-player roster for the World Junior Hockey Championships, which will take place in Ottawa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
McKenna will celebrate his 17th birthday on Dec. 20, the day after Canada plays its first pre-tournament game against Switzerland. McKenna and Team Canada will play their first tournament match against Finland on Dec. 26.
McKenna, the youngest player on this year’s Team Canada roster, already has a track record of representing Canada on the international stage. He scored a hat trick against the United States, leading a comeback in a 6-4 decision clincher during the third period that secured Canada’s gold at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Championship.
McKenna also helped push Canada toward victory in the group a division during a tight 2-1 match against Sweden in August, hitting a well-placed wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle, during the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
During the 2023 Canada Winter Games, McKenna broke the record for most points in the tournament's history. He delivered 29 points in six tournament games, including four games over two days.
McKenna joins a short list of Canadians to have made it on the national team at the age of 16, with only eight having made the cut in the team’s history. Those eight, include Wayne Gretzky, and both Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard.
McKenna, currently playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers in Alberta, leads the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in scoring this season with 60 points, including 19 goals and 41 assists, through 30 games. His consistent performance has positioned McKenna to be a key pick for the 2026 NHL draft when he becomes eligible, according to the CHL.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
