Gavin McKenna of Penn State University in the Big 10 will file a draft diary for NHL.com this season leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old freshman left wing (5-foot-11, 170 pounds), who was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, received an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list in October. The fourth youngest player in men's college hockey, McKenna has six points (one goal, five assists) and 22 shots on goal in six games. He was second in the Western Hockey League last season with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games with Medicine Hat and was named player of the year in the WHL and the Canadian Hockey League.

Hello hockey fans.

I'm looking forward to filing a monthly diary for NHL.com this season during my first season at Penn State.

I was born

See Full Page