The Michigan State hockey program is making a strong bid to secure highly touted recruit Gavin McKenna, who visited the campus on Monday, June 30. McKenna, a forward widely regarded as the top prospect for the 2026 NHL draft, is fresh off an impressive season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
During the 2024-25 season, McKenna showcased his elite skills, recording an astonishing 41 goals and 88 assists in just 56 regular-season games. His performance helped lead the Tigers to the Ed Chynoweth Cup championship and into the Memorial Cup final. In the playoffs, he excelled further, tallying 29 assists and nine goals over 16 games, and set a remarkable average of 2.38 points per game. For his achievements, he was honored as the WHL Player of the Year, which included a noteworthy 54-game point streak.
In addition to his visit to Michigan State, McKenna checked out Penn State last weekend, while other programs such as Boston University and North Dakota are also vying for his commitment. Although there is a chance he could return to Medicine Hat for another WHL season, many analysts believe McKenna will choose to play one season of college hockey before transitioning to a professional career.
At just 5-11 and 165 pounds, the 17-year-old Canadian has drawn praise as a “generational” talent by NHL Central Scouting. He made history as the third youngest player in Canadian Hockey League history to win the Most Valuable Player Award, following legends John Tavares and Sidney Crosby. McKenna also represented Canada at the U-20 World Junior Tournament, where he scored once in five games, and had a standout performance at the U-18 World Juniors, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists, contributing to Team Canada’s gold medal success.
Michigan State is poised to be a competitive team in the upcoming season, bolstered by the return of Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard and Big Ten Goaltender of the Year Trey Augustine. The addition of Cayden Lindstrom, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft and McKenna’s teammate at Medicine Hat, only enhances their prospects.
This ongoing recruitment saga highlights the potential rise of Michigan State hockey, aiming to build a powerful roster that could contend at a national level in the coming season.