Canadian junior hockey phenom Gavin McKenna to announce NCAA destination
Junior hockey sensation Gavin McKenna is set to make a monumental announcement on Tuesday, as he reveals his decision to move to the NCAA. The highly anticipated news will be broadcasted on ESPN’s SportsCenter at 6 p.m. ET, with NHL.com reporting that both Penn State and Michigan State are frontrunners to recruit the 17-year-old forward.
McKenna’s move from the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers to the collegiate level is expected to shake up the junior hockey landscape, as he is considered the top prospect for next year’s NHL draft. Last season, the talented forward recorded an impressive 41 goals and 88 assists in just 56 regular-season games, leading Medicine Hat to their first WHL title since 2007 and a spot in the Memorial Cup final.
Hailing from Whitehorse, McKenna made history in June by becoming the third-youngest Canadian Hockey League player of the year, with only Sidney Crosby and John Tavares achieving the honor at a younger age. Standing at six feet tall, McKenna’s skill and potential have garnered attention from both sides of the border.
The decision to join the NCAA comes after the league lifted a long-standing ban in November, allowing CHL players to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season. This move signifies a new chapter in McKenna’s promising career, as he looks to make his mark at the collegiate level before potentially making the jump to the NHL.
As fans eagerly await McKenna’s announcement, the hockey community is buzzing with excitement over the young star’s future. Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking decision that is sure to shape the landscape of hockey for years to come.
