McKenna, Molendyk both nominated for WHL awards

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 11, 2025.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna dekes around Swift Current Broncos defenceman Peyton Kettles in the first period of Game 5 on April 4 at Co-op Place. Medicine Hat won the series-clinching game 3-2. McKenna is one of six nominees for the WHLs player of the year award.

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Two Medicine Hat Tigers skaters are on ballots for league awards.

Forward Gavin McKenna and defenceman Tanner Molendyk have both been nominated for league awards from the 2024-25 regular season. McKenna is one of six nominees for the WHL’s Four Broncos Memorial Trophy for player of the year, and Molendyk is one of six defencemen nominated for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy for blue liner of the year.

The 17-year-old McKenna rose to the occasion in his sophomore season with the Tigers, tallying 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games, finishing the regular season with a 40-game point streak. He was recognized as the WHL player of the month for September/October, January and March.

The 20-year-old Molendyk had nine goals and 47 points in 49 games this season split between the Tigers and Saskatoon Blades. He ranked seventh among WHL defenceman with 0.96 points per game, and 10th with his 19 power play assists.

Both McKenna and Molendyk were named to the Eastern conference first all-star team in the 2024-25 season.

They join head coach Willie Desjardins on the awards ballots, with the Tigers bench boss one of six nominees for both the coach of the year and executive of the year awards.

The winners of the 2025 WHL Awards will be announced from April 22 to May 7.

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