The Next McDavid!? 14 Year Old Makes WHL History

Very seldom do hockey talents transition seamlessly when moving up a league.

Medicine Hat Tigers first round selection Gavin McKenna, 14, wasted little time showing his development, exploding for a record night in the WHL.

The native of White Horse, Yukon Territory., McKenna was selected first overall in the WHL's 2022 Bantam draft.

His first game with the Tigers featured a four assist outing from the 14-year-old.


Because he was granted exceptional status to the WHL, like Connor Bedard and Matthew Savoie did before him, he was allowed to play a year earlier than other players his age. Due to his December birthday, McKenna made his debut at 14, in accordance with the December 31 cutoff date.


The four assist effort warranted a WHL record for the young Medicine Hat Tiger, in the first game of his WHL career.

The future looks bright right from the start; and he has plenty of time and space to develop, as he isn't eligible to be drafted until 2026. Should he continue his stellar play, it's hard to imagine Gavin McKenna not being regarded as a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The future is bright, and a 14-year-old has taken the WHL by storm, anybody feeling old yet?