McKenna departure a big blow for WHL

- By Bruce Penton

July 21, 2025

key points from this story:

• Gavin McKenna joins Penn State
• $700,000 NIL deal influences decision
• Skips WHL and Medicine Hat Tigers
• NCAA policy opened payment to players
• WHL teams could face financial loss
• Canadian junior hockey future uncertain

The most electrifying player in Western Canada hockey circles is chasing big bucks south of the border and won’t be displaying his ‘how-did-he-do-that?’ talent this winter in the Western Hockey League. Gavin McKenna, 17, and the presumed No. 1 pick in the National Hockey League draft 11 months from now, announced July 8 he would be enrolling at Penn State and playing for the school’s hockey team.

Instead of making $100 a week or so playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers and facing a gruelling 68-game schedule that would have taken him on cold bus rides to 22 other cities in the west, McKenna and his new Penn State mates will travel in luxury — short regional bus trips and the occasional air flight.