Gavin McKenna, a standout freshman at Penn State, has decided not to play for Canada at the World Championship. This decision positions him as the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
As of early Tuesday, McKenna completed his freshman season with an impressive 15 goals and 36 assists in just 35 games. He set nine program records at Penn State and became the first Big Ten Scoring Champion for the school.
McKenna’s decision means his draft year is officially over. The NHL Draft Combine is scheduled from May 31 to June 6 in Buffalo, followed by the NHL Draft on June 26.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery for the third time in franchise history. McKenna’s performance has drawn comparisons to elite prospects, raising expectations for his future.
Key achievements this season:
- 51 points in his freshman season at Penn State
- Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- Earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors
- A Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist
- Received All-American recognition
McKenna became the first Penn State player selected to represent Canada at the World Championships. However, he will not participate this year.
Experts believe that if McKenna becomes the pick, he could be a cornerstone player for a major market team like Toronto. The pressure will be immense if he joins the Maple Leafs.
The next milestone for McKenna will be showcasing his skills at the combine. His absence from international competition may have strategic implications as he focuses on transitioning to professional hockey.
