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From the Yukon to Penn State: Who is Gavin McKenna? |
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- Published on Apr 17, 2026
- The projected 1st-overall selection in next year's NHL entry draft hails from the far north of Canada - Whitehorse, Yukon. He'll also be playing in the NCAA at Penn State for his draft year, a decision that could change the path top prospects take to the NHL. But, who is Gavin McKenna?
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Being from a First Nation's home, its touching to know he was proud to wear the vest his grandma made him.
you're all on Canadian land. I hope you realize that. There is no more native land any longer.
@smudent2010 I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that side of your face...'Billy Jack.'
@smudent2010 One day you'll realize as well.
Just watched this and wanted to say how much I'll be cheering on this kid in everything he does. Such a humble, likeable young man. All the best mate! From Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺
that rink will be built in no time
Good for them. This kids going to be something.
what a beauty
Bro is a stud!!
So cool. As someone who grew up playing hockey in Whitehorse this is such a great story. I left home at 14 to chase the dream but never made it close to Gavin's level. I actually played many years with his uncles who were also really skilled players. It's great to hear they are working to build some new facilities there but the main issue is the lack of high level competition that is necessary for kids to really increase their skill level. That is the main reason these kids need to go south if they really want a chance to make it.
When you see his eyes and face light up about the Yukon hockey rink being built and only nods about gold medals and national championships, you know he is a good guy.
The beading on that vest is top notch
I like this kid he has his head on his shoulder and he will be perfect for the NHL.
Dylan Cousins was from Whitehorse as well !
sick F1 hoodie!!! 😎hyped to see his future
awesome❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Good luck, Gavin!
Good luck Gavin !
We are going to PSU-ASU Saturday afternoon will post some vids
Really hoping he comes to Vancouver. Would be a perfect fit!
This guy is going to be awesome for NHL hockey. Already a great young person. Class act. Good luck! I hope Sharks win the lottery!
Amazing young man!
Highly doubt it but would be a crazy fall off if the Flames drop in the standings this year and win the lottery. Wolf, Parekh, and McKenna 🙏🙏
I am excited to follow Gavin McKenna’s career. I don’t think he will disappoint. Stay healthy Gavin and entertain us!
Penn State....to Broad Street...?
This FLYERS fan can dream.
PSU has a really good program...relatively new to being considered a destination for tier 1 recruits...but it has to start somewhere.
Im just thankful for Gavin choosing Happy Valley over a dozen other top notch hockey universities.
We Are!!!!
Penn State!!!!
Representing his people… ❤❤❤
He’s White man relax 😂
@np8814when did he say that? 😂😂
@georgioantoine4194 he’s maybe what 1/16th native? I mean look at him his names Gavin McKenna and he has blonde hair 😂 legally he would not even be allowed native status
@georgioantoine4194
He’s a great representative for the master race of indigenous European people, as are majority of the NHL!The good Lord said- “Real men, play real sports, real men play hockey”. That’s Reason why NHL players are the realest of men, majority of which are white. 😂
McKinna will be a so great pucksman in the league right now.
gunna graduate from penn state with a degree in fly-fishing
1:35 😬
What a great young man. I'll be rooting for him to do well in the NHL!
Good indian boy eh. God bless you little brother and your family eh. Take care young brother.
Future flame
You know what's pretty cool? If you just imagine McKenna with black hair and darker complexion, he would genuinely look like a First Nation--of course he gets his hair/complexion from dad's side, but you can see in his features that he takes after his mom's side/grandpas.
It's really cool learning about his heritage, his hometown Whitehorse, and seeing Yukon represented.
It's really cool for me who is an Eastern European who has zero connection for Indigenous history and culture.
Keep it up Gavin, you're a beauty throughout, it's clear to see from his vid.
Welcome to Vancouver
Wow, a lot on the line now....
Aho cousin!
Steve McKenna's kid.
Him to the Rangers, what a thrilling thought
Gut feeling?? It's the $$$$$$$$
Don't put to much pressure or expectations on these kids!! Let them play 5-6 years before calling them the next one!
Hopefully, a future Calgary Flame..
Yeah no doubt, get that Cup to YYC
Fly Fishing 101. 😅
Beautiful mom
4:27 really hit the 6 7
Hope hes not another Bedard. Alb-eight, Bedard needs a team. Took Crosby 4 years to win a cup plus 3 number 1 draft picks.
Slow start in the NCAA. Will he still go #1?
6 .....7? 67?
Not the first NHL player from Whitehorse
He's the first Indigenous player from Whitehorse.
Dylan cozens is from Whitehouse but isn't Indigenous
I would love to see him as Crosby's heir and take over in Pittsburg.❤ we have a great history with Canadian players Crosby super mario Flower just to name some big names
He’s certainly got the same -teeth- smile
@TheChupacabra then it's a sign
Amazing story. One love to my Indigenious People. Didn't know Gavin was connected
He’s white.
@larrydavid5650he’s in fact very much native 😂 you do realize we’re in the 20th century right and natives are mixed and come in every colour imaginable ever since being colonized in the 16th century my little brothers are pale with blonde hair and blue eyes but they’re native with status cards all because one parent is native
@AdanazJulianhe is white and McKenna is a Scottish name.
Get this Native king on the Blackhawks ❤️🖤🤍🖤❤️
change the blackhawks brand*
@Editss213 your heart is probably in the right place, but this is a remarkably ignorant statement. Study up before making decisions for groups you don't belong to, please.
@Editss213do you think the Yankees should be changed too?
@user-gg1gb8pr9djrkscbsnotabot is the team owned by mexicans?
sabres would be better, closer to home.
The recent NCAA rule change has opened the possibilities of a fantastic education opportunities for Young Canadian hockey players, and it will only boost the game
men see men cry
All the best to Gavin in the future, good health and successful career from Ontario Canada. 👍🏒
Well, if he pans out, he can make enough with a 3 year contract to pay for the rink himself :)
I wanna Pittsburgh to come last Just so we can take this lad and learn from Crosby and Malkin just like Crosby got mentored by Super Mario 😅
No wonder he chose PSU. His hometown looks like State College.
lol wut
Freshman
Can't wait for him to be drafted by the Sabres
You’re not bad enough anymore I imagine you’ll place 21st 20th in the league this year
Edmonton should trade McDavid so that they can finish last to get a chance at Gavin.
Canucks please 🙏
I can't believe the Whitehorse Wizard is coming to State College. The next logical place for him to end up is Philadelphia!!! LFG!!!
Gavin McKenna is going first pick hope fully Canucks
Dont forget the Workhorse from Whitehorse!!!! Dylan Cozens! Put some respect on his name.
Its amazing to see 2 people from whitehorse yukon in the last 6 years to make it to the 1st round of nhl draft!
Dylan was #7. Lets go Gavin with #1!!!!!!!!
Why are people calling Gavin the first from Whitehorse why are they forgetting Dylan?
@aarib_samiuneducated liberals
He will be a Canuck
4:18. How many years old?
canuck
Better bulk up kid
Really Nice story, I hope the best for him and his people ....its nice CBC has allowed comments ahhh they are so totalitarian
See, dumb ish like this is why CBC has to lock down comments.
Pro hockey is adult entertainment, now governed by gambling and likeness. It is amazing how people still believe in this underlying "narrative" about the hometown kid, dressed up in identity politics. In the end, Gavin should make as much money possible for his family and the rest of his life. I hope that this is his guiding principle, not how he identifies or who he owes. Its all entertainment now.
Hell yeah!! May god bless you for representing us indigenous European people we are very unrepresented in the NHL. May the Norse Gods bless you, on the battle field of ice. May your enemy’s ankles bend and their gloves stay cemented on in utter terror to drop the mitts and fight!! Norse Gods also said “ Real men, play real sports, real men play hockey”!! May Norse Gods bless all indigenous European people!!
11:09 im the kid in the yellow laces im on my moms account hes an awesome person and a really good hockey player
Exactly its all bout money.
Fly fishing course lol
He should just go play in the pros
College sports should be for student athletes.
This takes away a spot from a kid who might not have a shot to go pro but would take real classes to get a degree and a real job.
College athletics is a joke now.
This Why i don't watch any of it anymore.
Sad state of affairs.
He’s looking like a Calgary flame 🔥
I wish!
More like a Canuck right now
Now he is facing assault charges
Only thing I don’t like here is the CBC sure was pushing the native thing. You can tell this was the storyline they wanted to push
So???? Whats the problem with that?
@shotguncrucifixCBC has a way of highlighting certain things that push a certain agenda. It’s cool and all, but the entire story focused on this when all the other short docs focus on the kid and his talent. It’s like if he was religious and all they talked about was his religion ……
@shotguncrucifix woke pedo
I had no idea he was indigenous! Proud he’s going to be the first indigenous person to be picked 1st overall in the NHL!
Update title for this please.
From the Yukon to Penn State to the State Penn
Kid’s the real deal. Will make Bedard look like nothing
This kid is just a stud what an amazing hockey player , and hes very humble Im a fan I hope goes to the Oilers lol 😆
Let’s be real. He chose Penn State because they offered the most money.
Welcome to Pittsburgh
Chicago.blackhawks.will.finish.last.place.to.get.gavin.mckenna.
@OdettePierre-il6wl I hope so lol
Nope, San Jose
Perfect heir to Crosby like Lemiuex to Crosby Crosby to McKenna ❤i wanna come last just so we can get him 😂😂😂
@OdettePierre-il6wlno u need to come above us so we can get him 😂😂😂
I hate the Michigan goal
Wish he would have stayed in Medicine Hat
As long as he's not like Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, or Michael McLeod, it's all good. Lack of evidence doesn't mean it didn't happen... and the case wasn't even about whether it happened - it did - it was about consent. PARENTS need to do better. Hope Gavin is one of the good apples.
She said yea and then LIED. You and her deserve to have your heads turned into canoes
So, Trump wants Alberta to join the USA. Guess what's next? The 3 territories: Yukon, Yellowknife, and Nunavik. Think it can't happen? who thought the world would shut down in 2020 ,point is USA will become the new hockey power house ,with up and coming stars like this kid.
Hope he has bad year. Chl is screwed. Loved him on tiger but now...
He lit the league up last year, why should he need to play another year chl? He can earn some money, play against older teams, workout, have access to amazing facilities and training staff. Not to mention too. Chase college girls… Quit hating
He is a bum selfish and soft . Will never be a star in nhl. He’s a flop
Buddy your a 🤡
1:54 this dude seems creepy and with a horrible voice