Connor Bedard's Cousin Gavin McKenna Scoring At Similar Pace In WHL

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Graham Montgomery
January 2, 2024 (10:56 PM)

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There are always families where it seems as though hockey simply runs in their blood. The Hughes family, Staal family, among others. The next family to dominate the NHL? Could be Connor Bedard and his younger cousin, Gavin McKenna.

Gavin McKenna's Scoring Pace On Track For 1st Overall Pick In 2026

By this point, just about everyone not living under a rock is familiar with Connor Bedard. But the rookie sensation is not the only one in his family who has a long NHL career ahead of him. Bedard's cousin, Gavin McKenna, is looking to be the first overall pick in 2026 and so far his play in the WHL warrants comparisons to his older cousin.

McKenna is off to an absurd scoring pace to start his draft minus two season. The 16-year-old has 11 goals and 34 points in 29 games so far with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. He's coming off a draft minus three season in which he scored 18 points in 16 games with the Tigers despite being just 15 years old playing against much older competition.

Making all of this even more impressive is the fact that he just turned 16 a couple of weeks ago, meaning most of his games so far this season were played as a 15-year-old. His statistical profile fits that not just of a 1st overall pick, but of one of the better first overall picks in the last decade, potentially right up there with his older cousin.

Connor Bedard's cousin, Gavin McKenna is in his 16 year old season is doubling anyone else in his class's production for a second year in a row

He's got 3 junior seasons before he's drafted but would already be highest scoring per game draft eligible skater in the 2022 class lol

Another thing going for McKenna? He's already listed as six feet tall. Bedard is listed at 5'10" or 5'11 depending on the source. As McKenna only just turned 16, he could easily grow into a 6'3" frame if not even taller. With his skill set and size like that, NHL general managers will be salivating at the idea of getting a chance to draft him.

While it is still early, it seems as though McKenna will be one of those franchise-altering kinds of players. Whichever fan base adds him to their team will be very glad to do so.

As seen on Bedard's Young Cousin Is A Rising Star Destined To Make Noise In The NHL