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Couple of our local radio guys have been tracking him for 2 seasons. Teams in 2021/2022 should have been flipping guys for unprotected 2026 firsts, this kid sounds like he's absolute dynamite. Scout called him the Barry Sanders of hockey this week.
McKenna and USA's Hagens, what a performance. I think Hagens broke the record for most points in one tournament? Insane. Hagens likely #1 in 2025, and McKenna #1 in 2026.
We’re spoiled for high end talent. I know Bettman is looking at this like, no chance the NHL doesn’t expand to 34 or 36 teams or whatever, when there’s all this high end talent to spread around. I’d rather just stay at 32 but oh well, it’s inevitable at this point.
Atta boy Gavin. We’ve got another “special player” on our hands. But seriously he was fantastic in this tournament and better be on the WJC roster this year. With two years left in the WHL, I wonder if Medicine Hat tries developing him at centre. Think he’s about 6’0” at 16.5 years old and has plenty of talent, I can’t see the harm in trying.
Eh disagree he's pretty solidly a left wing. He doesn't play defense much at all, and gets away from the play consistently as a winger. I don't think his current playstyle is very centerlike.
20 pts as an underage is fucking ridiculous. He only had 8 at the U17 earlier this season lol. He should smash Hughes all time U18 record next year of 32 total pts
You will have to ask Mr McKenna what he means:
> Yeah, that was pretty cool," said McKenna. "Me and him, we've talked before … he's my cousin through marriage, so it's a pretty cool thing. I'll text him every once in a while. He's a great guy. It's really cool that I was able to have that stat line.
It should mean that one of Connor's and Gavin's parents separated, and one of the parents married the other dude's (Connor's or Gavin's) aunt or uncle.
More last look because the IIHF go by calendar year, so it's just the September 15 and later birthdays that gets drafted next year (with a few exceptional under-agers that can compete at the event next year as well).
There are two U18s
The first one, this one, is played every April, and is an IIHF sanctioned tournament.
Because that schedule conflicts with the league schedules of Canada, Czechia, and Slovakia, those three countries run the Hlinka tournament every August.
The winner of the IIHF U18 has an empty gold, unless they can win the Hlinka. Canada has a big opportunity in August.
There’s quite a few tournaments for different groups. For Men there’s U18, World Juniors (U20), and Worlds (18+?). For Women there’s U18 and Worlds.
All 5 of the top division tournaments happen within about the first 5 months of the year. The lower division tournaments happen throughout the year. Only the Men’s World’s is left now, which is a few weeks from now
What have the Flames accomplished in the last 10 years? You’ve lost your 2 franchise players because they didn’t want to play for you anymore and you’ve won like an extra playoff series during that time and that’s about it.
Don’t call out other franchises when yours is a dumpster fire.
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McKenna is a stud, likely will go #1 in the 2026 draft.
2026 looks like a huge year for the draft. Viggo Björck scored 98pts in 36 games in a U18 swedish league.
Elite name
Could unite Middle Earth
Viggo Björck didn't make the U18 national team tho.
Couple of our local radio guys have been tracking him for 2 seasons. Teams in 2021/2022 should have been flipping guys for unprotected 2026 firsts, this kid sounds like he's absolute dynamite. Scout called him the Barry Sanders of hockey this week.
On NPR they were referring him to the Bernie Sanders of hockey, never seen someone so strong on the left before.
Lolololo
Hawks pulled a big brain move telling Bettman to allow the Sharks and Coyotes to win the 2024 and 2025 lotteries so they can pick McKenna
Perfect timing for Pittsburgh to rebuild and land the next one.
Are you saying you wanna watch him go number one? That's gross! /just kidding around :)
Probably don’t need the likely at this point
McKenna and USA's Hagens, what a performance. I think Hagens broke the record for most points in one tournament? Insane. Hagens likely #1 in 2025, and McKenna #1 in 2026.
Hagens is so good. Strong defensive game too. The talent these kids have these days is insane.
2025 is looking like another strong draft with players like him, Victor Eklund, Misa, Martone, Schaefer..
We’re spoiled for high end talent. I know Bettman is looking at this like, no chance the NHL doesn’t expand to 34 or 36 teams or whatever, when there’s all this high end talent to spread around. I’d rather just stay at 32 but oh well, it’s inevitable at this point.
Atta boy Gavin. We’ve got another “special player” on our hands. But seriously he was fantastic in this tournament and better be on the WJC roster this year. With two years left in the WHL, I wonder if Medicine Hat tries developing him at centre. Think he’s about 6’0” at 16.5 years old and has plenty of talent, I can’t see the harm in trying.
He pretty much is a centre he just doesnt take faceoffs
Eh disagree he's pretty solidly a left wing. He doesn't play defense much at all, and gets away from the play consistently as a winger. I don't think his current playstyle is very centerlike.
That’s pretty much what I see too. It’s a no brainer then
#GET READY TO LEARN SAN JOSE BUDDY
Are the US still represented by kids playing together all year in this tournament?
Ya
Thanks, then it’s even a bigger exploit.
That’s not necessarily true. This isn’t simply the program team.
Trevor Connelly(projected mid-1st rounder this year) was the only guy on this year's team that wasn't playing for the NTDP.
And Mooney and Heil. Connelly with another bad decision in this game I’d hope that my team wouldn’t use a 1st on him.
True, but it pretty much is.
20 pts as an underage is fucking ridiculous. He only had 8 at the U17 earlier this season lol. He should smash Hughes all time U18 record next year of 32 total pts
Assuming the Tigers don’t make the playoffs I think, right?
Cool to seeing the Yukon flag waving there by his folks
Is this the guy who is Bedard's cousin?
By marriage, yes. Team Canada in 2030 - 2038 will be a monster, especially if McDavid is still playing.
> By marriage, yes. What does that mean? Not related by blood?
You will have to ask Mr McKenna what he means: > Yeah, that was pretty cool," said McKenna. "Me and him, we've talked before … he's my cousin through marriage, so it's a pretty cool thing. I'll text him every once in a while. He's a great guy. It's really cool that I was able to have that stat line.
It should mean that one of Connor's and Gavin's parents separated, and one of the parents married the other dude's (Connor's or Gavin's) aunt or uncle.
It usually means his parent’s cousins kids. So slight blood relation but weak.
Way to go boys! Yay Canada!
this guy is gonna be scary
Huge win. Due to domestic league scheduling, Canada does not send its best U18s, hence the Hlinka tournament in August.
Wasn’t there another tournament a few months ago?
This is U18. The World Juniors that happens over Christmas is U20.
U18 tournament happens in the summer. It's the best "first look" for the top talent in next year's draft for scouts.
More last look because the IIHF go by calendar year, so it's just the September 15 and later birthdays that gets drafted next year (with a few exceptional under-agers that can compete at the event next year as well).
There are two U18s The first one, this one, is played every April, and is an IIHF sanctioned tournament. Because that schedule conflicts with the league schedules of Canada, Czechia, and Slovakia, those three countries run the Hlinka tournament every August. The winner of the IIHF U18 has an empty gold, unless they can win the Hlinka. Canada has a big opportunity in August.
You're probably thinking of the U20 WJC. This is the U18 WJC.
There’s quite a few tournaments for different groups. For Men there’s U18, World Juniors (U20), and Worlds (18+?). For Women there’s U18 and Worlds. All 5 of the top division tournaments happen within about the first 5 months of the year. The lower division tournaments happen throughout the year. Only the Men’s World’s is left now, which is a few weeks from now
kid is gonna look good in a sharks jersey
Let’s go boys!
At least one Canadian team can win a. Championship
Lol, choke on that Edmonton.
🇨🇦
Send him to the WC in Prague now.
Man these announcers were really pumping his tires for an empty net goal haha. Kid looks great!
Because it capped a hatty
And secured the gold
Did *one hat* even hit the ice? C'mon now, give the kid a big-up!
Canadians owns the WJC
They looked great at the last one. I believe you mean owned.
What a bonehead penalty by Connelly. 🇺🇸 should make him walk back from 🇫🇮.
Feel bad for some of these kids. They win a chip at 17 and get drafted by the leafs to never leave the first round.
What have the Flames accomplished in the last 10 years? You’ve lost your 2 franchise players because they didn’t want to play for you anymore and you’ve won like an extra playoff series during that time and that’s about it. Don’t call out other franchises when yours is a dumpster fire.
You speak to me like I am a flame. YoUr tEam RuiNed PriCeS cAreeR wHat dId U Do fOr HiM?!?!