Scouting Snapshot: Gavin McKenna's incredible seven-point night

Thirty-eight – that’s how long Gavin McKenna’s point streak has gone on. It’s the second-longest point streak in the CHL since 2000, stretching all the way back to November. 

In that time frame, he’s amassed 28 goals and 64 assists (44 primaries) for a staggering 92 points. 

To put that in perspective, this 38-game point streak alone would put McKenna eighth in WHL scoring for the entire season, as well as fifth in assists and third in primary assists. 

This was also a career night for McKenna, marking his first seven-point night in the WHL. 

Here are the highlights:

The way he controls the game up top is masterful, combining dynamic edge work with perfectly timed cutbacks, fakes, changes of pace, and more. If there's a pass, he'll find it -- adapting the release point and drawing in defenders to do it, as we highlighted in our game report of this performance: 

“He's one of the sport's best players from the top of the offensive zone -- NHL included. The highlight: He retrieved a puck, stepped in and cut back, creating space for him to cut up top. Then, he cut back after the defender closed, dove down the slot, and hit a perfect backdoor pass through traffic for an assist. That was one of many incredible high-cycle plays in the game, but he can also control the game behind the net and on the low cycle, faking plays or quickly spinning off a defender before setting up a chance in the slot. He's just as good off the rush, where he stops up and hits tape-to-space passes for teammates to walk into -- one led directly to his goal.”

Just as impressive was McKenna’s transition play and give-and-go playmaking. He’s not just a dynamic skater, but a highly intelligent mover who constantly adjusts his route and positioning to stay the best option. When the puck arrives, he draws pressure with his feet moving, hits the open teammate, and relocates again. 

Simply put, no one in junior hockey is creating as much as McKenna. And this game, along with his recent run of 24 points in seven games, is a reminder that he’s already the most exciting player outside the NHL – and he's not even draft eligible until 2026.