A young McCann dreamed what is now here and real

By JAMES TUBB on May 24, 2025.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

RIMOUSKI, QUE.

Kadon McCann took in the 2016 Memorial Cup as a nine-year-old hockey fan full of dreams of one day playing among the giants on display in Red Deer. Another nine years later and the Medicine Hat Tigers forward is making them come true.

The 18-year-old McCann spoke with media ahead of the opening game of the 105th Memorial Cup in Rimouski, a contest between his Tigers and the host Océanic. While he wasn’t physically playing in the 2016 tournament, just imagining himself on the ice, he’s leaning on that previous experience now that he’s on the other side of the plexiglass.

“Just looking at that and seeing that, I’m in those shoes right now, and seeing all the little kids coming up to ask for pictures and stuff is really cool,” McCann said. “The fans here are unbelievable, too.

“I dreamed of it but I didn’t think it would come true.”

The Cochrane product has played a key role in the bottom six of the Tigers lineup, either filling a role on their shutdown line with Ethan Neutens, Misha Volotovskii and Marcus Pacheco,` or bringing a leadership presence alongside rookies in Markus and Liam Ruck and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll. He’s earned a lot of respect, as well as ice time, being tasked on the penalty kill.

Getting those roles and getting the chance to perform in the playoffs has been an experience he’s enjoyed and one he looks to continue in the Memorial Cup.

“Travelling to different cities and we only go to Spokane once, and to go there again was pretty special,” McCann said. “We’re a tight-knit group and part of our identity is family. So to do this with my brothers every day is very special and super fun to come to the rink every day.”

He’s taken steps throughout the season that have impressed those around him.

“He’s improved a lot throughout the year, it’s been really special,” forward Mat Ward said. “He’s got a big body and he’s starting to play like it. He’s working on his skill, too, and he’s been unbelievable for us.”

In his second season in the orange and black McCann had 11 goals and 18 points in 64 games, missing four games with a upper-body injury that broke a personal ironman streak dating back to minor hockey when he still had ‘McCann’ taped on the front his helmet. He’s taken a lot of pride throughout his young career in being available and using his skill set to fill whatever role is necessary.

In the playoffs he’s added two goals with six points in 18 games, scoring once in the WHL Championship series against the Spokane Chiefs, helping the Tigers capture their sixth Ed Chynoweth Cup. As the franchise looks to capture a third Memorial Cup championship, McCann also has the potential to raise his stock ahead of the NHL Draft in June. However, it’s a potential he says he’s not focused on, keeping himself team oriented.

“It’s something obviously in the back your mind but you’re trying to stay in the moment,” McCann said. “Just enjoy the experiences, because this is the Memorial Cup and this run doesn’t happen very often, so kind of stay where my feet are and then after this, we’ll start focusing on that a little more.”

The 6-foot-3 forward was ranked 116th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting’s latest rankings. His performance over the two weeks in Rimouski could help raise that stock, something head coach Willie Desjardins hopes to see.

“It’s a big tournament for him for sure, he’s a big guy, he plays hard,” Desjardins said. “So a tournament like this, there’s lots of people watching. So for sure he can raise his level in this tournament and it would help him.”

McCann was able to take the Ed Chynoweth Cup back to Eagle Butte High School before they embarked for Rimouski. It was a stop he says was important for him to make to give back to those who helped him get through school the last couple of years.

“Eagle Butte does so much for us and we would have had a way harder time graduating if Ms. Hausauer there didn’t take us under her wing and help us,” McCann said. “So she’s super special to our team and our group and we’re super fortunate to have her.”

The Tigers have been able to explore Rimouski a little bit while they prepared for the opening game of the tournament. After Friday’s opener they will have a few days to further see the sights while getting ready for back-to-back games against the QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats on Monday and the OHL champion London Knights on Tuesday. It gives McCann a chance to find a good spot for poutine because he hasn’t had a chance yet. So far, his experience at the Memorial Cup has been familiar to that of nine years ago when the dream began.

“We went for a walk (Thursday) and a couple of kids obviously were looking for Gavin (McKenna), so just to see those kids, and seeing how they look up to you and how you looked up to guys like us as kids, seeing us now is just pretty special,” McCann said.

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