Gavin McKenna is not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2026, but he is already one of the most hyped-up young players today. In an interview with TSN, McKenna revealed who his childhood idol was.
Right now, McKenna is preparing for the WHL Championship series, where his Medicine Hat Tigers are facing the Spokane Chiefs. The Tigers are 12-1 in the playoffs, having lost only one game in the first round.
53 game point streak
And super talent Gavin McKenna has been a big part of the Tigers’ success. He is currently on a point streak that has lasted an astonishing 53 games—a streak that started in early November 2024. Ahead of the WHL Championship finals, McKenna sat down with TSN to talk about the upcoming series, his point streak, and how he’s preparing for the 2026 NHL Draft. But he also revealed who his childhood idol is.
Gavin McKenna’s Childhood Idol
Jay Onrait, the reporter, told McKenna that he’s being compared to Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov in terms of playing style. While McKenna appreciates the comparison, acknowledging Kucherov as a superstar, he would rather name another star.
“Patrick Kane was my favorite player growing up. I watched him and the Chicago Blackhawks, and the dynasty they had, and the success he had. So I always tried to work on my hands, go out on the backyard rink, and stickhandle through pucks just like he did,” McKenna says.
It remains to be seen how Gavin McKenna’s career will compare to Patrick Kane’s, but he’s certainly off to a good start. You can watch the interview below.
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