Gavin McKenna is departing the World Junior Hockey Championships with a medal, although it’s not the coveted gold one he desired. The 18-year-old from Whitehorse showcased an impressive performance, tallying a goal and three assists. He earned the player of the game title for the second time during the tournament in a decisive 6-3 victory over Finland in the bronze medal match on Monday. McKenna concluded the tournament with a total of 14 points, a significant increase from his previous year’s four points.
Expressing his disappointment, McKenna admitted that he would trade his current medal for a gold one without hesitation. Following Monday’s game, he shared with reporters, “It’s not the medal you want. It sucks we couldn’t get it done but this is a really tight group and one I’ll remember forever.”
Canada showed promise for a gold victory in the first half of the tournament, remaining undefeated in the preliminary rounds and displaying a strong offense by scoring at least seven goals in four out of the initial five games. McKenna played a pivotal role in this success, contributing multiple points in Canada’s first three matches, including a hat trick against Denmark. However, Canada faced a setback against the Czech Republic in the semi-finals, where McKenna’s performance was less impactful, marked by just one assist and an untimely penalty during the game.
Despite the disappointment, McKenna and Team Canada rebounded in a remarkable fashion during Monday’s game against Finland, securing Canada’s first bronze medal since 2012. McKenna expressed his pride in the team’s effort, stating, “I’m proud of the group for getting up for this game. To come home with some hardware does feel good.”
The tournament attracted numerous Yukon residents to Minneapolis, including Ed Long and his family. Long, who flew in from Whitehorse for the semi-finals and bronze medal game, praised the experience of witnessing a Yukon native compete on the global stage. McKenna’s gesture of giving his stick to Long’s children, who were waving the Yukon flag, left a lasting impression on the family.
Additionally, a sizable group of McKenna’s family members was present to witness his bronze medal triumph, including his grandparents, who had also attended last year’s tournament in Ottawa. McKenna expressed his joy at having his family support him in the stands, as they do not often have the opportunity to watch him play.
With the conclusion of the World Juniors, McKenna will return to Penn State University to continue his season with the Nittany Lions. The upcoming highlight on his agenda is the National Hockey League draft in June, where he was initially favored as the top pick. However, with the emergence of standout player Ivar Stenberg from Sweden, the competition for the first overall selection has intensified, according to insights from Scott Wheeler, a senior hockey writer with The Athletic.
Looking ahead, the World Junior Hockey Championships are set to return to Canada next year, with Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, serving as the host cities.
