Projected 1st overall pick has surprise connection to the Blackhawks organization already
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Gavin McKenna, the phenom player who is the projected 1st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, has a surprising connection to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks have been at or near the bottom of the Western Conference standings in each of the last several years, it has resulted in them getting 3 straight top-3 picks in the NHL Entry Draft.
They took Connor Bedard with the 1st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft after winning the Draft Lottery, Artyom Levshunov with the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and Anton Frondell with the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
There is a surprising connection that phenom forward Gavin McKenna, who is the projected 1st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, to the Blackhawks.
McKenna said he patterns his game after Patrick Kane, who is no longer with the Blackhawks and instead plays for the divisional foe Detroit Red Wings.
Patrick Kane was my guy growing up," McKenna said of Kane on SportsCenter. "Just the way he played always excited me."
Growing up, I was a Blackhawks fan," McKenna said. "I always had them on the TV. They were obviously on a dynasty there. He was the guy that was kind of leading the charge.
Growing up, I was a Blackhawks fan," McKenna said. "I always had them on the TV. They were obviously on a dynasty there. He was the guy that was kind of leading the charge.
Right now with the way the Blackhwks are playing, they could be putting themselves on the outside looking in at a chance to get McKenna.
McKenna is actually related to Bedard as a distant cousin
Speaking of connections to the Blackhawks, McKenna is a distant cousin of Bedard. He said that even though it's blown up in the media, they are in fact related.
«It's like eighth cousins,» McKenna said.
So far this year with Penn State, McKenna has 6 points (1G, 5A) in 6 games played.
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