With NHL draft looming, Canada's McKenna hopes world juniors propel strong NCAA stretch

Gavin McKenna has a specific way of centring himself.

The once slam-dunk No. 1 overall pick at the 2026 NHL draft put up 129 points in 56 games with the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers last season.

McKenna headed south this fall and proceeded to have a so-so start in the NCAA with four goals and 18 points across 16 contests for Penn State before joining Canada for the world junior hockey championship in Minnesota.

The 18-year-old centre finished second in tournament scoring as part of a bronze-medal performance for the men's under-20 national team. He also wasn't the dominant force some might have expected in key moments.

"There's a lot of pressure on a young kid like me," McKenna said earlier this week in St. Paul. "But I always try to think back to my family, doing it for them. They've done a lot for me growing up.

"That's my motivation."

The centre from Whitehorse had four goals and 10 assists, including seven points on a lethal power play, for Canada, but found the score sheet just once — and took what could have been a crucial penalty — in a 6-4 semifinal loss to the Czech Republic that ended dreams of a podium-topping finish.

"I feel good," McKenna said of his overall performance. "In terms of this tournament [for] myself, I think it brought some confidence. I'm sure people obviously still say things, just trying to stay away from that."

The chatter will continue and ramp up as the calendar flips.

Gavin McKenna was destined to become Canada's next hockey star

Among the players to push their way into the No. 1 conversation is Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, who registered seven points as part of his team's gold-medal showing at the world juniors.

McKenna, however, faced more scrutiny than any