Connor Bedard's cousin Gavin McKenna completes drastic career decision with NCAA decision
Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/CHL
Connor Bedard's Cousin, Gavin McKenna, who played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, has decided to take his hockey career to the next level in the NCAA with the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten.
The Chicago Blackhawks have stated that they plan on letting the youth movement run wild in 2025-26. Which could signal another lottery pick year, and a bottom finish in the Central Division.
For draft prospects, that could mean something significant could be on the horizon, as a 1st-round pick could be what the team needs to push the rebuild forward once more.
It could mean another shot at another generational talent, like Connor Bedard's cousin, Gavin McKenna, who finished his season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL. He finished the year scoring 129 points (41-88) and would secure the WHL championship this season.
For McKenna, this is another level-up from the CHL, and thanks to a new rule, once a player is of age, he can make the choice to jump into the ranks of the NCAA.
He'll have a chance to prove himself in the NCAA, a newer, fresher challenge after conquering the WHL in three past seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
For McKenna, this signals a chance at playing more often, competing against tougher opponents, and could mean his development will progress exponentially, making him ready for his rookie season in 2026-27.
A boon for the Blackhawks should they luck into that 1st overall pick in 2026.
With the Blackhawks chock-full of top talent in the NHL, including Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell, adding McKenna would be a huge steal, adding to the forward core depth in the lineup.
The Penn State Nittany Lions could be poised for a National Championship with the talent they've added recently, including Luke Misa (Michael's brother), Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets), and now Gavin McKenna.
Gavin McKenna highest paid college hockey player ever
Now that that number ($700k) is out there, it at least sets the tone across all of college hockey. It's going to create an arms race where guys are getting paid more and more. Eventually it's going to get to the point where guys can realistically have a better life playing college hockey than signing their entry-level contract with a team they don't want to play for.
Fans of the Blackhawks could watch McKenna compete on nationally televised games in the NCAA and get an idea of what the Blackhawks could acquire if they win the lottery once more.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 9 | 759 ANSWERS Connor Bedard's cousin Gavin McKenna completes drastic career decision with NCAA decision Do you think the Chicago Blackhawks will win the 1st Overall pick in 2026 and select forward Gavin McKenna of the Penn State Nittany Lions? | ||
| Yes | 296 | 39 % |
| No | 463 | 61 % |
| List of polls | ||
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