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Medicine Hat Tigers

McKenna Named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week

January 22, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending January 21, 2024.

The 16-year-old was second among all WHL skaters in points this week with two goals, five assists and a plus-4 rating in four games as Medicine Hat went 2-1-1-0 on the week.

McKenna's generous side was on full display in a January 16 tilt against the Swift Current Broncos, where the Whitehorse, Y.T. product put up a goal and a pair of assists. McKenna slid a puck through the crease for Hunter St. Martin to tie the game at two in the second period. He followed it up with another helper on the powerplay- which would stand as the game-winning goal- before ripping home an insurance goal as the shorthanded Tigers won 5-2 with only nine forwards in the lineup. With three points on the night, McKenna reached the 50-point milestone and was named third star.

McKenna would net the lone goal for the Tigers with a powerplay blast through traffic against Red Deer on January 19, though the Rebels would snag a 2-1 victory.

The 6-foot, 165-pound left winger erupted again for three assists to wrap up the week with a 7-2 win against the Brandon Wheat Kings. McKenna earned second star of the night thanks to his helpers on goals by St. Martin, Tomas Mrsic and Oasiz Wiesblatt.

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft-eligible forward leads the WHL rookies with 38 assists and is second in points with 56. His 1.44 points-per-game average is first among all CHL first-year players.

McKenna has generated buzz across the hockey world even before he was selected by Medicine Hat first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, and it's only grown as he takes the league by storm.

He was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 8, 2024, after scoring four goals and eight assists in a week and has represented Team Canada Red at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he tallied five goals and three assists in seven games.

Medicine Hat (28-14-3-0) is sitting first in the Central Division with points in seven of its last 10 games.

The Tigers travel to Moose Jaw (27-15-0-2) for a challenging test on January 26.

2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week

January 15, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips

January 8, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips

January 2, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals

December 18, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars

December 11, 2023: Max Curran, Tri-City Americans

December 4, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings

November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors

November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen

November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers

October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)

October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos

October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild

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