Top 2026 prospect Gavin McKenna is on an absolute historic tear right now
Gavin McKenna is special.
That’s no secret.
But the projected top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft has hit an elite level — and is flirting with historic numbers when it comes to the Western Hockey League.
“The main thing that makes McKenna such a special talent is his playmaking, and more specifically, how he’s never not dangerous no matter the situation,” FCHockey scout Kareem Elshafey said. “He can create something out of thin air if he’s in a tight area with his elite edge work and magical puck handling ability. If he has space, it only makes it easier for him to use his wide array of tools to create an opportunity.”
The 17-year-old has 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists) in 51 games with Medicine Hat in the WHL, ranking third in Canadian Hockey League scoring behind 2025 NHL Draft eligible Michael Misa‘s 124 points (58 goals, 66 assists) and Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall‘s 116 points (42 goals, 74 assists).
He is in the midst of one of the greatest runs in recent CHL history, too.
McKenna’s 36-game point streak, which began on November 6, 2024, is the longest among CHL players in the 2024-25 season. During the stretch, McKenna has recorded 24 goals and 57 assists for 81 points, including 28 multi-point performances.
His current run is tied for the third-best stint since 2000 with Easton Cowan (2023-24). Only Sidney Crosby (37 games, 2004-05) and Alexander Radulov (50 games, 2005-06) have had longer streaks.
“Usually, seeing this kind of run from a player not even draft eligible yet would be surprising, but with McKenna it’s just not,” Elshafey said. “He makes opponents look like they’re playing in the wrong league, and if you would have told me these numbers he’s putting up before the year started it wouldn’t have been a shock.”
McKenna is on pace for 120 points (36 goals, 84 assists) in just 57 games. His current rate of 2.105 points per game ranks as the fourth-highest for any WHL skater in their 17-year-old season, behind Connor Bedard (2.509 in 2022-23), Rob Brown (2.507 in 1985-86), and Ken Yaremchuk (2.181 in 1981-82).
In January, during a game against Portland, McKenna reached another milestone that solidified his status among the elite. By recording an assist on a goal by Ryder Ritchie, McKenna reached 200 points in just 118 WHL games. Only Bedard (107 games) and Pavel Brendl (96 games) reached the mark faster.
It comes as no surprise, really.
People in the hockey world knew McKenna was elite long before he recorded four points in his debut with Medicine Hat.
The Yukon-born forward, who was granted exceptional status by Hockey Alberta and BC Hockey, began playing WHL games as a 14-year-old and tallied 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 16 games.
McKenna continued to reach significant milestones in his first full WHL season in 2023-24 as a 16-year-old. The 6-foot phenom amassed 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 61 games, earning both WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honors while securing a spot on the WHL’s First All-Star Team and the CHL’s Third All-Star Team.
On the international stage, McKenna was a consistent contributor for Team Canada Red at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge, recording eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games before his team was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
He was dominant, too, for Canada at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, notching 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in seven games, including netting a hat-trick to help Canada to gold in the tournament’s finale.
McKenna also added his name to an exclusive list at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Only seven Canadians — Bedard, Jay Bouwmeester, Sidney Crosby, Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Wayne Gretzky, and Connor McDavid — had made their tournament debut at a younger age. Although he started the tournament as the team’s 13th forward, McKenna made an impact by scoring a goal in what was ultimately a disappointing tournament for the host nation.
McKenna’s resume is special.
And he has one more season before the NHL comes calling as the first name off the board at the 2026 draft.
“Never say never, of course, but there’s a big enough gap to the point where if McKenna didn’t go first, something insane would have had to happen,” Elshafey said. “It feels similar to the gap between Bedard and the rest of the 2023 draft class.
“That’s saying something because the 2026 class is shaping up to be an exciting one.”
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