McKenna was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He should step right in to the NHL and, almost certainly, into a 1PP role as well.

McKenna endured a slow start to his first season at Penn State, but the projected first overall selection at the 2026 NHL Draft finished the 2025-26 campaign on a strong run with 19 points in his final 10 games, including an eight-point effort against Ohio State in February. The Whitehorse, Yukon-native proved he has the tools necessary to become a primetime player in the NHL after a 15-goal, 51-point season against older competition in the NCAA. McKenna will have one more chance to impress decision makers at the 2026 NHL Combine before he hears his named called from the stage on June 26.

Rumblings no more, potential first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna has committed to Penn State University for the 2025-26 season. A massive loss for the Canadian Hockey League, but McKenna had very little, if anything, left to prove in the Western Hockey League after his terrific 2024-25 campaign. With McKenna himself confirming this news on July 8, 2025, on ESPN, everyone wanting to catch a glimpse of the next NHL superstar will have to tune in to the NCAA Big Ten Conference’s Penn State Nittany Lions this season. McKenna joins Calgary Flames prospect Luke Misa (2024 5th round, 150th overall) and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jackson Smith (2025 1st round, 14th overall), who also committed to Penn State for the 2025-26 season on a Nittany Lions team who will be aiming to build off their semi-final loss in the 2025 Frozen Four.

While we’ve heard his name for a while, 2024-25 cemented McKenna as THE talent of the 2026 class. While his hard skills (namely his shot and his hands) are the envy of most, it is his elite intelligence that allows him to dominate defenses.

Preliminary Ranking-This time last year, another prodigious centre, known to the hockey world since their tweens, was locked-in at first-overall and primed to make his mark on the college circuit. While James Hagens went on to play through a bumpy season, (ultimately landing at 7th) we’re not likely to have a repeat in 2026: Gavin McKenna just isn’t the same player.

The two don’t come without similarities, however. McKenna is also a slight, average sized, left-handed centre, and born is on the older side of the class. But, he also possesses almost every offensive tool under the sun. He’s not a burner, but McKenna is agile, shifty, and can accelerate quickly from a standstill. His deceptive handling ability—especially coupled with his pre-cognizant read of the game—makes him a slippery mark in all three zones. This is particularly true off the wall, high in the OZ, or off the rush, where his skill and gravity pull in defenders.

There are a number of areas however where McKenna sets himself apart. Unlike Hagens, McKenna’s shooting ability has looked high-end through his two full WHL seasons. McKenna is excellent at settling bouncing pucks and can convert on snap-shots, curl-and-drags and one-timers all with regularity, often in motion. McKenna also projects better defensively, with strong stick habits and the ability to manipulate puck carriers.

Really though, the biggest separator is McKenna’s approach with the puck. For better or worse, McKenna has a huge risk threshold and loves to hang onto the puck. His skill and creativity are perhaps unmatched (finishing plays I’ve never seen someone even attempt before) but it also leads to him getting caught, sometimes in grimace-inducing ways.

How McKenna’s season pans out, leading the charge for a newly-minted NCAA powerhouse, will likely depend on how those latter few qualities translate. McKenna has the potential to bring a level of creativity and scoring never seen from a college freshman.

Though his Medicine Hat Tiger came short of a Memorial Cup, it’s hard to find any fault with McKenna, who led the tournament in points-per-game and had the Tigers’ lone goal in the 3-1 finals loss. This follows up an absurd WHL playoff run (9 goals and 38 points for a playoff-leading 2.375 points-per-game) and an equally ridiculous regular season (41-88-129 in 56 games). All year, he’s been a true leader for his team, their No.1 offensive catalyst, and their most relied-upon big-game player.

Wherever he plays next season (there have been some NCAA-related rumblings), he’s going to be so d*mn good.