Gavin McKenna has been viewed as the likely No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for a while.
He went to Penn State this season to play NCAA Division I hockey rather than stay in the juniors ranks, which is a bit of a different choice. But the excitement isn't waver.
McKenna just got back recently from the World Juniors tournament in which he suited up for Canada and had a hat trick.
Back with the Nittany Lions, McKenna is doing absurd things.
Watch this goal. Then watch the replay. Then recognize that McKenna is No. 72:
Gavin McKenna has taken a lot of heat for not blowing up the scoresheet this season like many thought he would. But its plays like this that proves why he is the first overall pick and a generational talent.
— Matt Becker (@mattbecker250) January 10, 2026
Pic.twitter.com/o7q9Mb4GXo
That's McKenna with the wildly instinctive backward pass up the ice to lead his teammate perfectly.
Hockey players aren't just out here making passes like that.
But McKenna isn't your average hockey player. People have been throwing around that "generational" label for him.
That's obviously high praise. But then you watch a pass like that, and you believe it. Absolutely incredible stuff from McKenna.
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