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Connor Bedard's cousin is coming to play in Edmonton

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Daniel Lucente
August 6, 2024  (9:51)
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Gavin McKenna seen playing in the WHL
Photo credit: Blackhawk Up

Canada is looking for its third straight gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and it will have top prospect and Connor Bedard's cousin, Gavin McKenna to help win.

The Canadian roster at this tournament is full of young talent and Gavin McKenna is the youngest player of them all. Despite his age, he was a force to be reckoned with in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and at the world U18s last spring, and he is also the top rated prospect for the NHL Draft that will take place in 2026.

The rest of Team Canada is eligible for next year's 2025 NHL draft, with McKenna being the only one who has to wait an extra year.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup returns to @RogersPlace next week & @HockeyCanada
has announced their roster including top 2026 #NHLDraft prospect Gavin McKenna!

Visit http://HlinkaGretzkyCup.ca to view the full roster & secure your seats for the tournament.

McKenna was unbelievable last season with Medicine Hat in the WHL and he was only 16-years-old. In his rookie WHL season, he scored 34 goals and had 97 points in his 61 games. He also played five games in the playoffs, scoring another six points and he earned the CHL Rookie of the Year award. He took his game to a new level at the U18s, putting up 20 points in seven games as Canada took home the gold medal.

Ahead of his #HlinkaGretzkyCup debut tonight, a look back at Gavin McKenna's historic performance for 🇨🇦 at the #U18MensWorlds 🤩

«He's a special player,» said TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button of McKenna. «Emphasis on special. He's a player that plays the game in real time, he knows exactly what he's confronted with, what his options are, and then he knows exactly how to take advantage of the best options and make you pay.

«When the stakes get higher and the demands become greater, he will take a firm grip on a game, and he showed that at the U18s.»

Fans of the game will be really excited to see Connor Bedard's cousin tear it up at this tournament, and likely in the NHL one day too. One can only imagine how dangerous the Chicago Blackhawks would be if they somehow found themselves in a lottery position once again, with the chance to draft McKenna. A team with the dangerous cousins duo would be unstoppable.

Source:Edmonton Oilers on X

Source: HockeyDBGavin McKenna Stats

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Connor Bedard's cousin is coming to play in Edmonton

Are you looking forward to watching Gavin McKenna play for Team Canada?

Yes3972.2 %
No1527.8 %
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