NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers top prospect Gavin McKenna turns up ice with the puck in the first period of an 8-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday at Co-op Place.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Gavin McKenna’s WHL debut may have been a 9-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sept. 24, 2022, but the last week of the regular season has become his full arrival to the Medicine Hat Tigers lineup.
The 15-year-old prospect returned to the Tigers lineup Sunday in a 3-2 loss against the Calgary Hitmen, his first game in the orange and black without the affiliate tag after his U18 team, the South Alberta Hockey Academy finished their season. With his U18 season over, the 2022 first overall pick became a full-time Tiger.
In that game against Calgary and Medicine Hat’s 8-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday, McKenna has two goals and three assists, giving him three goals and 15 points in 14 WHL games.
“It’s good (to contribute), obviously, my linemates have been playing really well, (Brendan) Lee and Mac (Tyler MacKenzie),” McKenna said. “We all work for each other, it’s been good and it feels good.”
Lee had three goals and assisted on McKenna’s goal Wednesday, he says it’s easy to play with McKenna and MacKenzie.
“Those are two extremely exceptional players,” Lee said. “Gav always finds me and we’re building a lot of chemistry, and Macker has to be one of the hardest workers in the league. That makes it pretty easy.”
McKenna has created highlights for himself throughout his hockey season, with his four-point WHL debut, Circle K Classic championship and MVP win, breaking records at the Canada Winter Games representing Yukon and leading the CSSHL in scoring. Now his focus shifts to helping Medicine Hat return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19, a challenge he is excited for.
“It’s going to be awesome, hopefully we can pull through and can get ready for playoffs,” McKenna said. “This group of guys work, they’ve deserved it all year.”
Associate coach Joe Frazer has been impressed with McKenna all season and has taken note at how he has handled the pressure-filled games.
“He’s been great, these are pressure games, big games, so it’s easy to get nervous or tentative even as a veteran and younger guys,” Frazer said. “He hasn’t looked nervous at all, he’s fit right in and that line has been really good.”
At the start of the season in training camp, McKenna said he was already looking forward to his chance to play full-time in the Western Hockey League. Now that the situation has arrived, McKenna is ready for the challenge.
“It’s definitely cool for sure, being up with these guys all the time,” McKenna said. “All year going back and forth but now to just be staying with this team for good, it’s awesome. Just have a chance to get closer with the guys as well.”
