Gavin McKenna is set to don a Team Canada jersey.
The projected first overall pick in the 2026 draft headlined the list of 44 players announced by Hockey Canada as invitees to the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase on Sunday.
Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick the 2025 NHL Draft, Caleb Desnoyers, selected fourth, and Porter Martone, selected sixth, are also among the group set to participate at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis from July 27 to Aug. 2.
McKenna, 17, had 129 points (41 goals and 88 assists) in 56 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL last season and is set to make his NCAA debut for the Penn State Nittany Lions in the fall.
Martone, McKenna and Schaefer all participated in the previous world juniors, when Canada lost to Czechia 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
Schaefer led the group with two points (one goal, one assist) despite only playing in two games after sustaining a broken collarbone.
The showcase includes practices, scrimmages and three exhibition games against Finland, Sweden and the United States as part of the preparation for the 2026 tournament, set to begin Dec. 26 in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The final Canadian showcase group will consist of 36 players including four goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 20 forwards. They will be split into two teams for practices and an intrasquad scrimmage on July 29 before taking on Finland July 30, Sweden Aug. 1 and the United States Aug. 2.
“We're thrilled to bring together 36 of the top young players from across Canada for the Summer Showcase,” program of excellence general manager Alan Millar said in a release from Hockey Canada. “This is an incredible opportunity for these players to compete at the highest level, build chemistry and show what they can bring to the national team. With the 2026 world juniors on the horizon, this is a crucial step in building a championship-caliber group.”
The full list of players invited is available on Hockey Canada's website.