Gavin McKenna knew the haters would be ready to pounce.
The 17-year-old centre was expected to be the runaway No. 1 overall selection at the 2026 NHL draft. That might still very well end up being the case.
There has also been criticism since McKenna bolted the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers for Penn State of the NCAA. The Whitehorse product has 18 points in 16 games this season in U.S. college hockey — a circuit with a shorter schedule, older players and more defensive structure — after dominating junior with 129 points across 56 contests in 2024-25.
McKenna, who wanted a different challenge as part of a "building year" in hopes of being better prepared for the professional ranks, is expected to be a key part of Canada's attack at the upcoming world junior hockey championship.
And the country certainly has a motivated player.
"I don't mind it at all," he said Monday at training camp of the draft chatter. "Sometimes getting people pumping your tires all the time isn't the best thing for you. People have been waiting for me to fail … it fires me up."
McKenna put up 41 goals and 88 assists last season in a WHL run that included a 40-game point streak. He's scored just four times in 2025-26, but isn't concerned about the noise or his output with the Nittany Lions in State College, Penn.
"I just try to take it with a grain of salt," McKenna said. "Where my game's at, if people are watching and if people are smart at hockey and are actually watching the game, not just looking at the numbers, they'd know. I'm confident.
"I've been playing well. Pucks haven't been going in for me, haven't been getting bounces, but I think with world juniors to build my confidence, and then bring it in the second half, I think that'll be huge for me."
Canada is certainly banking on that.
The country finished a disastrous fifth on home soil last year in Ottawa — McKenna is one of six returnees — for a second straight embarrassing quarterfinal exit at the annual showcase event.
"He's a quality kid," said Alan Millar, general manager of Canada's under-20 men's program. "People are focusing in on a small window. He's still the player that won a WHL championship and had 120-plus points."
A rule change south of the border allowed for players like McKenna to jump to the NCAA despite having already suited up in junior — a major shift that would not have been allowed before this season.
The move coincided with schools being allowed to lure recruits with name, image, likeness (NIL) endorsement money. Canadian Hockey League players were previously barred from competing at U.S. colleges because they were deemed professionals for having received monthly stipends for living expenses.
Porter Martone, who's been skating on Canada's top line with McKenna and Cole Beaudoin at camp, made a similar switch by heading to Michigan State from the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Steelheads.
"He's got a great mind, great head on his shoulders," Martone, the No. 6 pick at the 2025 draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, said of McKenna. "He's gonna show up this tournament and maybe get those doubters off his back."
McKenna said there's a big difference in approach when comparing the CHL and NCAA.
"Defensively, it's a lot harder, there's less time and space, guys are quicker," he said of U.S. college play. "It's a skilled league as well, but it's just more straightforward hockey — crash and bang, trying to get to those dirty areas to find ways to score."
The six-foot, 170-pound freshman added that factors taken into account going the college route extended far beyond the ice surface.
"Living on your own, learning how to become an adult," McKenna said. "I wanted to spend more time in the gym, build my frame out.
"All this stuff is to prepare me to play in the NHL."
McKenna's teammates are excited to see what he does on another big stage when Canada opens its tournament against Czechia in Minneapolis on Dec. 26.
"This is gonna be a time he gives all those people something else to talk about, maybe shut them up a bit," said forward Cole Reschny, picked No. 18 by the Calgary Flames at the 2025 draft. "But I don't think there should be any doubt, personally, he will go No. 1. He could have went back to the Western Hockey League and put up 150 points.
"He chose to take the harder route, and it's gonna get him ready for pro hockey. It's not easy, but good on him."
Taking that road could also wind up being a big boost for Canada as the powerhouse — one still licking its wounds from the last two tournaments — seeks a 21st gold medal.
"He's an elite talent," Millar said. "We're not doubting Gavin McKenna."
