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CALGARY — Gavin McKenna is currently the front-runner to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, but the 16-year-old forward isn’t in any rush to get there just yet.

Last season’s Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year, McKenna, is adopting a calm and patient attitude towards the almost two-year wait that lies ahead.

McKenna expressed to NHL.com, “I consider myself fortunate to have an additional year before being drafted. I must seize this opportunity and ensure that I’m giving my utmost effort daily. I can’t afford to slack off just because I have time, but rather, I need to consistently put in the work to be fully prepared when the time comes.”

The hockey community has been abuzz with excitement about the left wing from Whitehorse, Yukon, and it’s not hard to see why. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 160 pounds, McKenna amassed an impressive 97 points, comprising 34 goals and 63 assists, in just 61 games for the Medicine Hat team in the Western Hockey League during the 2023-24 season.

He also had 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in seven games at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship — the most productive tournament ever by a 16-year-old skater, and the third-most points in a single tournament regardless of age behind top 2025 draft prospect James Hagens (22 points, 2024) and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (21 points, 2011).

“McKenna is a tricky player,” shared Matthew Schaefer, a promising prospect for the 2025 draft who has played alongside McKenna at the U18 World Championship and the forthcoming 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton from August 5-10. “His coordination is impressive; his hands and feet are synchronised and fast. You can’t fixate on the puck or you’ll be outplayed. He’s an excellent player, very unpredictable. You’re always guessing his next move.”

Schaefer’s claim is supported by the accolades he received during his short career. These include a Jim Piggott Trophy for the WHL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and being named the most valuable player in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) in 2022-23.

However, McKenna, who describes himself as a “speedy, deceptive playmaker,” is not going to let attention and speculation go to his head.

“McKenna expressed, “I believe my parents did a great job raising me. They instructed me on how to sidestep negative influences. When you’re engrossed in the sport you love at the rink every day, negativity naturally fades into the background. You’re so immersed in the game that you don’t give it a second thought. Of course, it’s crucial to avoid negative online content. At times, it can be challenging, but the key is to concentrate on oneself and not allow it to affect you.”

That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be significant for McKenna to join the likes of Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid as No. 1 picks, however.

It remains an opportunity he relishes.

McKenna voiced, “It would be fantastic. The opportunity is something I’ve strived for my entire life. If it occurs, not only will my family be extremely proud, but I also will be. It would be a significant moment for both my family and myself, knowing I’ve moved one step closer and have accomplished my goal. That would be amazing.”

McKenna, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 Bantam Draft, has that as her long-term goal.

Before that, there are several short-term tasks to accomplish, such as earning a gold medal from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He was one of the 22 skaters selected to represent Canada on Tuesday.

He would also include another appearance with Canada, this time at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa from Dec. 26-Jan. 5, 2025, on his list.

McKenna expressed, “My aspiration is to participate in the World Juniors and represent my country. This has been a lifelong dream of mine. The prospect of making this dream a reality will serve as a major motivation for me throughout the year.”

If he were to win a WHL championship in the spring, his checklist would essentially be complete.

Perhaps after that, McKenna will finally focus on the 2026 draft.

“Stay calm and ignore the noise because ultimately, it’s meaningless,” advised McKenna. “Your effort and where you stand when draft time comes matters. Concentrate on self-improvement and work hard to get better each day.”