Gavin McKenna's NCAA debut showcases superstar upside

In a year of massive changes in college hockey, with CHL players permitted to switch to the NCAA for the first time, Gavin McKenna stands a cut above the other elite players who made the move.

The prospective first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft can take over shifts and create something out of nothing like few players we’ve scouted in the past five years. In his first weekend of college action, McKenna already displayed his superstar NHL potential.

Playing alongside Reese Laubach’s intensity and Aiden Fink’s elite off-puck scoring instincts, McKenna comfortably slotted into a role that supports his biggest strength: game-breaking playmaking. The offensive details were just as impressive in his performances, though. Clever stick lifts to pick-pocket opponents and ceaseless pace on th