Krystal and Willy McKenna (bottom row, second and third from the left) celebrate after their son, Medicine Hat Tigers top prospect Gavin McKenna, was named first star of the Tigers 9-1 season-opening win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sept. 24 at Co-op Place. -- NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Gavin McKenna’s dad Willy joked over the summer that his goal for his Medicine Hat Tigers debut should be to be named the first star of the game. A couple of months and four assists later, a motivational joke turned into reality.
The Tigers 14-year-old top prospect had 13 family and friends, including his parents Willy and Krystal, in attendance for his WHL debut, a 9-1 win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sept. 24 at Co-op Place.
Krystal said her top moment of her son’s debut was seeing him get his first WHL point in his first game.
“To be surrounded by our friends and family and for all of us to be cheering so loudly for him and for him just to get that first point, it was so exciting and fun to watch,” Krystal said.
Willy stuck with the first star honours that Gavin earned after picking up four assists.
“That will just give him so much confidence in his abilities moving forward,” Willy said.
The family flew from McKenna’s hometown of Whitehorse to Calgary and drove to Medicine Hat to not only see their son for the first time since he left for training camp in early September, but to see the biggest game in his young hockey career.
The McKenna clan was along the glass taking photos during Gavin’s rookie lap in warmups before retreating to their seats for the game. Krystal said it was a great experience seeing how well Gavin performed but also getting a feel for the atmosphere he is going to play in.
“Seeing the fans be so lively and excited to be there with all of their gear and cheering Gavin on. Some of them who were close by where we were sitting realized we were with Gavin and they had called us out and were talking to us about him and how excited they are that he’s in the city,” Krystal said. “We’re just really happy that he’s in Medicine Hat and it just seems like a really great town, a really great hockey town.”
The group was all decked out in Tigers apparel as they cheered on the top WHL draft pick. Krystal said they received a lot of comments on their hoodies, even some requests to bring some back home.
“Of course they want to get a jersey just because the logo is so cool and the Tigers motto, ‘Time to Hunt,’ it’s kind of fitting too because we actually do hunt here in the Yukon. So that’s kind of fun for us too,” Krystal said.
Willy said there isn’t a better spot for Gavin to be playing this season as he begins his young hockey career.
“There’s not many 14-year-olds who can practice full time with the WHL club and then play on an academy team as well. It really couldn’t be any better than what he’s got right now,” Willy said. “He’ll come into next season knowing the team, knowing the staff, knowing the drills and just being comfortable so it’s really good.”
McKenna is only eligible to play in five regular season games with the Tigers unless he is recalled due to an injury at the WHL level or until his club team, the Dunmore-based South Alberta Hockey Academy, reaches the end of its season.
He said they can’t thank the Tigers coaching staff enough for giving Gavin a welcoming environment and a place to play where he can grow on and off the ice.
“Willie (Desjardins) has the kind of a personality that you know he’s going to look after your kid,” Willy said. “Later on we met Joe (Frazer) and he seems to be similar to that. They are personalities you trust right off the bat and they’re going to do what they can for your kid. They’re going to put him in opportunities and places that he’ll succeed.”
The day after Gavin made his first impression on the Western Hockey League with his four point night, the McKenna family got breakfast together at Denny’s where they talked hockey and how much he was enjoying Medicine Hat.
Willy had an omelet, Krystal enjoyed some eggs Benedict with bacon and Gavin, the growing teenager, had the Denny’s Lumberjack Slam which comes with buttermilk pancakes, grilled ham, bacon strips, sausage links, eggs (Gavin likes sunny side up), hash browns and a choice of bread.
Gavin said it was great to have them in the city and in attendance for the game.
“It was awesome, they were all really proud of me and I think they shed a few tears, is what they said. It was awesome having him here,” Gavin said.
Krystal said not only was she happy for him, but his younger sister Kasey was also shedding tears after he registered his first point.
“He’s wanted this for a really long time and he’s been dedicated, really since he’s been walking, so to see it all come together it’s super awesome,” Krystal said. “When we had that breakfast with him at Denny’s, he was talking to us about his schooling and said he’s getting all As … So not only is he doing well in hockey but he’s also doing well in school, and then to hear him speak during his interviews, we feel like he’s representing himself really well.
“He just makes us incredibly proud every single day.”
