What a Yukon hockey star's choice of a U.S. college means for Canadian hockey

The language used to describe Gavin McKenna's game often comes straight from the realm of fantasy.

"He's a unicorn talent. He's brilliant," said Craig Button, a senior hockey analyst with TSN and former NHL general manager. 

Sometimes known as "McKenna Magic," the 17-year-old player from Whitehorse and member of Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation has been described as a hockey "phenom" and a "generational talent."  

YouTube highlight reels show the teen regularly passing through opponents' legs and sticks, and ripping it into the net with razor-like precision, garnering comparisons to Sidney Crosby and Jack Hughes. A video of a McKenna goal posted to the Western Hockey League's (WHL) YouTube in April is titled: "GAVIN MCKENNA IS NOT HUMAN."

After three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Canada is losing one of its best young players — a year from his likely pick as No. 1 in the 2026 NHL draft — to the U.S. And while some celebrate McKenna's choice, it has sent others within the hockey world reeling.

Thanks to a change in rules that allows Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to switch between the league and college sports in the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), McKenna announced this week he's headed to Pennsylvania State University in the fall, where a cheque of around $1 million Cdn is rumoured to await him. 

Yukon hockey star Gavin McKenna commits to Penn State

Many fear it could inspire others follow suit, draining the home-grown hockey talent pool Canada is known for, and which helps fill small-city stadiums across the country, rallying communities around the sport. 

Some argue that Canadian junior hockey needs to re-evaluate its formula for developing young talent and preparing exceptional