Tigers forward McKenna named WHL Rookie of the Month for February

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna has been named WHL Rookie of the Month for February.

McKenna, 16, recorded 20 points (8G-12A) in 11 games to lead all WHL rookie scorers during the month of February.

The 6-foot, 165-pound left winger registered six multipoint performances during the month of February, including three outings in which he scored four points. On Tuesday, February 6, the product of Whitehorse, Yukon, logged a goal and three assists in a 5-2 win versus Regina. He added his second four-point game of the month with two goals and two assists in a 5-4 win at Regina one week later on Tuesday, February 13. McKenna then put an exclamation point on the proceedings by notching a hat trick and an assist during a 9-7 win at Edmonton on Monday, February 19.

With 83 points (29G-54A) in 52 games, McKenna leads the Tigers in scoring, is second among all WHL rookies in scoring, and sits alone in 11th place among all WHL skaters in scoring.

He was previously named WHL Player of the Month for January after an impressive start to 2024.

Selected by the Tigers in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna has been nothing short of electrifying since debuting during the 2022-23 season, collecting 101 points (33G-68A) in 68 career WHL Regular Season contests.

McKenna appeared in 16 regular season games during the 2022-23 season, tallying 18 points (4G-14A). In four career WHL Playoff games, he has one goal.

McKenna is considered to be a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Heading into March, the Medicine Hat Tigers rank first in the WHL’s Central Division and second in the WHL’s Eastern Conference with a record of 33-18-5-2.

Gavin McKenna and the Medicine Hat Tigers return to action Friday, March 1 (7 p.m. MT) when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat.

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.