McKenna looks to make most of World Juniors opportunity

By JAMES TUBB on December 4, 2024.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Gavin McKenna is one step closer to achieving a childhood dream.

The Medicine Hat Tigers forward was one of 32 players named Monday to Hockey Canada’s selection camp for the 2025 World Juniors tournament.

“It’s an honour, it’s something I’ve worked towards my whole life and I’m super grateful of the opportunity,” McKenna said. “But the job’s not finished, I still have to make the team, so I’m going to go into camp there and show them what I can do and hopefully crack a spot.”

McKenna has showcased his talents well to start his sophomore season in the WHL, as the Whitehorse, Yukon product leads the CHL in scoring, having registered 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) in 27 games this season.

He credits the Tigers’ staff for helping him work on his defensive game, getting himself to a level of recognition from Hockey Canada. The World Junior camp runs Dec. 10-13 in Ottawa, this year’s location of the infamous tournament that gets underway on Boxing Day.

If he makes Canada’s World Juniors roster, he’ll remain with Team Canada until their tournament is complete. Him making it would also mark a milestone in Medicine Hat, as he’d be the first Canadian representative at the U20 tournament since Tyler Ennis in 2009.

He’s represented Canada well in the past, with two gold medals to show for. He helped Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament this August after breaking the scoring record at the U18 championship in May, en route to a gold.

Getting the World Juniors invite at a young age isn’t something McKenna overlooks, but he doesn’t want to be the young player along for the ride, he’s looking to be an impactful part of Canada’s lineup.

“I don’t want to just go there. Just to be there and play there, I want to play some big minutes and play a big role,” McKenna said. “That all starts in camp, so I have to make sure I’m ready for camp.”

He’ll remain with the Tigers this week, playing at Swift Current against the Broncos tonight, at Lethbridge against the Hurricanes on Friday and at home Saturday against the Edmonton Oil Kings before departing for the camp.

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