McKenna sets record for points by a Canadian in semifinal win at IIHF U18 World Championship
Espoo, Fin.- WHL Rookie of the Year nominee Gavin McKenna’s historic run at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship isn’t over yet.
With a sensational goal in the first period, the Medicine Hat Tigers star set a new record for points by a Canadian in a single IIHF U18 World Championship with his 16th point of the tournament.
The record was previously held by Tyson Jost and Macklin Celebrini, who each garnered 15 points in 2016 and 2023.
McKenna sliced through the Swedish defence and pulled up in front of the slot and outmaneuvered the goaltender to deposit the puck in a yawning cage for his seventh goal in six games.
GAVIN MCKENNA HAS THE CANADIAN POINTS RECORD WITH AN INCREDIBLE GOAL❗️🇨🇦#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/KmnTGEeoJT
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 4, 2024
It was a monumental moment in what the 16-year-old called ‘one of the biggest games of his life’.
The achievement is made even more special by setting the record with a team that’s quickly become very close-knit.
“It’s unreal,” McKenna, who is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft said on the broadcast. “It’s a short tournament but we bonded super early, our group. It starts with management getting us all together as much as they can before the tournament. As we play the games, we just get closer with every single game. I think I’ve built a lot of new friendships that I’ll have for a lifetime. It’s super cool to do what we’re doing right now.
After going up 4-0 in the first period, Canada hung on for a 5-4 win against the defending silver-medalist Sweden to book a trip to Sunday’s title match.
Fifth goal of the tournament for Tij Iginla and 🇨🇦 leads 3-0! #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/j8889RwtUf
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 4, 2024
2024 NHL Draft-eligible Tij Iginla (NHL CSS: 9) was named player of the game with a goal and an assist to ensure Canada will compete for gold for the first time since 2021.
The WHL contingent combined for three goals and three assists in the semifinal match.
Red Deer Rebels forward Ollie Josephson (NHL CSS: 40) picked up a secondary assist on Liam Greentree’s game-opening goal just over two minutes into the match.
After McKenna extended the lead to 2-0, Iginla continued the pile-on with a wicked wrister from the left hash marks for his fifth goal of the tournament.
.@PARaidersHockey's Ryder Ritchie with the exclamation point on a dominant first period for 🇨🇦❗️ #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/0PdZZdWzJe
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 4, 2024
Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie (NHL CSS: 19) picked up a helper on Iginla’s marker and capped off a dominant first period with a neat tally on the doorstep of the Swedish net.
Canada will face the reigning champion United States in the gold-medal game on Sunday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. MST.
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