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

[Bubbles]

LOL, I think he's trying to get to 100 this game, he's got 2G 1A and it's halfway through.

 

[Bubbles]

3		Connor Bedard	2005	F	2021‑22	62	51	49	100	42	0	13	1	5	0.823	0.790	1.613
4		Craig Endean	1968	F	1984‑85	69	37	60	97	28					0.536	0.870	1.406
5		Al Conroy	1966	F	1982‑83	68	38	57	95	203					0.559	0.838	1.397
6		Kimbi Daniels	1973	F	1989‑90	69	43	51	94	84					0.623	0.739	1.362
7		Gavin McKenna	2007	F	2023‑24	61	34	63	97	21	-5	11	0	4	0.533	1.033	1.567

So McKenna ends the season just shy of Bedard's 16-year old season, and considering he was 15 for half the season, has been very impressive. Can't wait to see the next gear during the playoffs.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Gavin at 13-14, 14-15, 15-16 seasons (CSSHL & WHL combined)
- played against u18 or older

146 games
106 goals
162 assists
268 points
1.85 ppg

and 37+38=75 (2.60 ppg) combined for WHC-17, WSI U15, CWG, Circle K Classic

 

[lakai17]

Another dogg from the dub. Represent!

Easy for Medicine Hat to build around him.

Medicine Hat need to put a bid in for the 2026 Memorial cup as they've yet to host one.

 

[wetcoast]

Another dogg from dub. Represent!

Easy for Medicine Hat to build around him.

Agree he is going to be a great WHL player

Medicine Hat need to put a bid in for the 2026 Memorial cup as they've yet to host one.

Isn't there a requirement on capacity of the memorial cup?

This is an article outlining putting in a bid.

What does a CHL team need to have in order to host the Memorial Cup? A lot more than you'd think

London was chosen to host again this year after putting on a successful event in 2005, while Barrie and Windsor's bids were denied a second straight time.

ca.sports.yahoo.com

 

[hockeykid87]

Isn't there a requirement on capacity of the memorial cup?

Medicine Hat's arena is new. It opened in 2015. While they've never come close to this, it can hold 7,000 for hockey.

The Tigers absolutely should apply for the 2026 Mem Cup. McKenna will be in his draft year. The question would be, will Cayden Lindstrom still be there? The way that guy was trending before his injury, he might be in the NHL at 19.

 

[mrshootthepuck]

Medicine Hat's arena is new. It opened in 2015. While they've never come close to this, it can hold 7,000 for hockey.

The Tigers absolutely should apply for the 2026 Mem Cup. McKenna will be in his draft year. The question would be, will Cayden Lindstrom still be there? The way that guy was trending before his injury, he might be in the NHL at 19.

Lindstrom is likely too good to stay in Junior by 2026. They would still have McKenna, maybe Basha, Harsanyi, McCann and the Ruck twins.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Lindstrom is likely too good to stay in Junior by 2026. They would still have McKenna, maybe Basha, Harsanyi, McCann and the Ruck twins.

Plus whatever massive haul they would get for trading Lindstrom should they so choose

 

[landy92mack29]

Basha will be playing pro but will still have Mrsic for 2026. They're set up well to win the next 2 years

 

[EddieTheEagle]

Impressive season for the kid! Will be exciting to see how he progresses. You can hear the engine on the ol' hype train warming up, especially after a season like this.

Genuine question for those Dub watchers. How was McKenna's supporting cast this season comparatively to what Bedard worked with while on the Pats that first season?

 

[landy92mack29]

Significantly better. Outside of the Bedard line the Pats were awful while the Tigers have 3 solid lines and while not a great defense still better depth

 

[Just Linda]

Genuine question for those Dub watchers. How was McKenna's supporting cast this season comparatively to what Bedard worked with while on the Pats that first season?

Impressive season for the kid! Will be exciting to see how he progresses, but you can hear the engine on the ol' hype train warming up.

Regina had a good top pairing D in Bedard's 16 year old season but a complete lack of forward talent. Second on his team in scoring his 16 year old season was Tanner Howe whos a year younger than Bedard.

Bedard's 17 year old season is slightly exaggerated at times how bad the team was. The team lost Ryker Evans but Bedard got to play with Suzdelev and Howe, both are excellent WHL forwards.

McKenna though plays with a lot more talent. Significantly more.

Regina could field a good PP unit and not much else

 

[Bubbles]

Impressive season for the kid! Will be exciting to see how he progresses. You can hear the engine on the ol' hype train warming up, especially after a season like this.

Genuine question for those Dub watchers. How was McKenna's supporting cast this season comparatively to what Bedard worked with while on the Pats that first season?

Yes, the depth on the Tigers is significantly better than the Pats. McKenna plays with Wiesblatt and Mrsic most of the time. Wiesblatt tries, but if given an actual finisher McKenna stat's would be off the charts. Mrsic also misses a lot more than he converts.

The Pats D were way better in that rookie season than McKenna has. The Tigers are seriously in need of a puck moving defenseman.

 

[landy92mack29]

Yes, the depth on the Tigers is significantly better than the Pats. McKenna plays with Wiesblatt and Mrsic most of the time. Wiesblatt tries, but if given an actual finisher McKenna stat's would be off the charts. Mrsic also misses a lot more than he converts.

The Pats D were way better in that rookie season than McKenna has. The Tigers are seriously in need of a puck moving defenseman.

I imagine Molendyk will be a Tiger as long as he's sent back next year, maybe Dragicevic also goes to the Tigers depending how Tri-City starts(or if they get Dupont)

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Yes, the depth on the Tigers is significantly better than the Pats. McKenna plays with Wiesblatt and Mrsic most of the time. Wiesblatt tries, but if given an actual finisher McKenna stat's would be off the charts. Mrsic also misses a lot more than he converts.

The Pats D were way better in that rookie season than McKenna has. The Tigers are seriously in need of a puck moving defenseman.

Tigers are getting crazy boost for the next season, for all positions, they are going to be a super team
from 24-25 on. - also for this years play-offs they are getting some help as well.

At this point, i have really wild expectations for McKenna's numbers for the next season(s)

 

[Plastic Joseph]

Tigers are getting crazy boost for the next season, for all positions, they are going to be a super team
from 24-25 on. - also for this years play-offs they are getting some help as well.

At this point, i have really wild expectations for McKenna's numbers for the next season(s)

Yeah it sounds crazy but he should be around 2ppg next year given his production the second half of this year, being a year older,and having good teammates.

Should also play WJC

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Yeah it sounds crazy but he should be around 2ppg next year given his production the second half of this year, being a year older,and having good teammates.

Should also play WJC

Im thinking more of 2.50 ppg and up, as, 2.50 as the base.
- i don't think many realize what kind of roster Gavin is gonna get
surrounded with, his PP stats are gonna look ridiculous

In a best scenario, Tigers players might go 1, 2, 3 in the 2026 Draft
yes, i think the Ruck twins are that good.

what they can and can't do in the WHL this season, i don't think reflects
much to their seasons to come, they will be 100% ready to the WHL
when the next season starts, then their real stuff will show up.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

Im thinking more of 2.50 ppg and up, as, 2.50 as the base.
- i don't think many realize what kind of roster Gavin is gonna get
surrounded with, his PP stats are gonna look ridiculous

In a best scenario, Tigers players might go 1, 2, 3 in the 2026 Draft
yes, i think the Ruck twins are that good.

what they can and can't do in the WHL this season, i don't think reflects
much to their seasons to come, they will be 100% ready to the WHL
when the next season starts, then their real stuff will show up.

2.5 would obviously be amazing but anything north of 2 would still be ridiculous too.


I’m not the first person to say you have some pretty high expectations for players lol

I wouldn’t be completely shocked because if anyone can do it it’s him, but 2ppg would in no way be anything shy of a huge accomplishment

 

[mrshootthepuck]

Plus whatever massive haul they would get for trading Lindstrom should they so choose

What do you think would be a good return for him? Their window to compete starts in this playoff and ends in 2026-27 season.

Personally can't see them moving someone that valuable when they can use it for another playoff run or two.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I see him ending up in either Philly, Pittsburgh, Detroit or Montreal.

 

[These Are The Days]

He and Kucherov are gonna be amazing together

#Cheaters #LoveYouGuys

 

[Bubbles]

What do you think would be a good return for him? Their window to compete starts in this playoff and ends in 2026-27 season.

Personally can't see them moving someone that valuable when they can use it for another playoff run or two.

McKenna is going to the NHL right away so I think their window ends in 2026.

Lindstrom missed most of the season so it's more than likely he'll be back. I don't see him get traded at all.

I'd like to the Tigers trade Mrsic for Leslie or another right shot guy. Their PP totally lacked a right hand shot.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Gavin and his Tigers first play-off series of the 2024 play-offs (vs Red Deer Rebels)

Tigers won their first 3 (Tigers GD 11-6 | +5)
- McKenna scored 1 goal and 5 assists (3 primary)

Rebels won the next 2 (Tigers GD 4-8 | -4)
- McKenna scored 2 goals

Tigers won the last meeting in the regular season 5-4 OT
- McKenna scored 1 goal and 2 assists

= 4+7=11 (1.83 ppg)

 

[Fonzieleaf]

I can see it'll be between him and Bjorck for number 1. Although McKenna has the edge right now as Bjorck is only playing against 17 year olds although he is lighting it up.

Can't wait to see what he can do in SuperElit.

 

[Bubbles]

His 1st of the playoffs