Everything you need to know about Gavin McKenna

Gavin McKenna is one of the most talked-about young talents in hockey today. Born in 2007, he is not draft eligible until 2026, but he is already on many scouts’ radars and is expected to be drafted first overall. But who is he? Here’s everything you need to know about Gavin McKenna.

Gavin McKenna early life

Gavin McKenna was born on December 20, 2007, in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. From a young age, it was clear he was born to play hockey. Both of his parents, Krystal and Willy, played the sport, and when he was young, his father even built him an outdoor rink to practice on.

Gavin McKenna playing career

Gavin McKenna stood out from an early age, consistently showing exceptional talent. He became the third player—after Connor Bedard and Matthew Savoie—to be granted exceptional player status by BC Hockey and Hockey Alberta.
He was selected first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft and made his league debut at just 14 years old, recording four points in his first game.
McKenna’s first full season in the WHL came in 2023–2024, where he put up an impressive 97 points in just 61 regular-season games. In 2024–2025, he displayed even more of his immense talent by scoring 129 points in just 56 games. That’s 2.30 points per game—a figure only surpassed by Connor Bedard and Andrew Cristall since the 1995–1996 season.

Personal Life

When it comes to his dating life, there are rumors about a possible girlfriend, but it has not been confirmed whether he is dating anyone.
Gavin McKenna is Indigenous and a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. He is the first player from Yukon to be selected first overall in the WHL Draft. His younger sister, Kasey McKenna, born in 2010, currently plays hockey back home in Yukon. Gavin is also a cousin of Connor Bedard by marriage.