Gavin McKenna’s name has been on the radar for the 2026 NHL Draft for a long time.

Even before the 17-year-old phenom began racking up accolades with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League, his name had been in pencil for the top selection in his draft year.

“McKenna is obviously extremely special; he’s an electrifying talent,” FCHockey scout Austin Broad said. “The word ‘generational’ really is used far too often, but I do not think it’s a stretch to use that with McKenna. I do not think it is a stretch to rank the first overall picks of the last five drafts, 2025 included, and have McKenna be No. 1 — which is more of a credit to him than anything.”

McKenna led the Canadian Sport School Hockey League under-18 division in points twice as an underage player. Starting the season as a 13-year-old in 2021–22, he paced the league with 65 points (23 goals, 42 assists) in 35 games.

Medicine Hat selected McKenna first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. He played in 16 games in his first major junior season, scoring 18 points (four goals, 14 assists). He also collected the CSSHL U18 Prep Division Most Valuable Player award with 75 points (37 goals, 38 assists) in 26 games.

As a 15-year-old, McKenna dazzled in his first full major junior season. The Whitehorse, Yukon, native put up 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 61 games. He added another six points in five playoff games. He was named both WHL and Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year.

The 6-foot forward represented his country twice during the 2023–24 season. He joined Canada Red in November for the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, scoring eight points in seven games. McKenna was back with Canada as a 16-year-old, lacing his skates up at the U18 Worlds. He finished second in scoring to James Hagens with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in seven games, including a hat trick and an assist in a 6–4 win for gold.

McKenna has been nothing short of sensational one year out from his draft year. He set a modern-day CHL record with his 54-game point streak. Only Michael Misa (134 points) and Andrew Cristall (132 points) accumulated more points than McKenna’s 129 in 56 games in the Canadian Hockey League.

He was dominant during Medicine Hat’s run to a WHL championship win, too, scoring 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 16 games.

Before that, McKenna cracked Canada’s roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, becoming the eighth-youngest to do so. He only found the back of the net once against Finland, but had 20 shots in five games.

Teams may be digging for McKenna as the biggest nugget of gold in 2026, but there is plenty more to mine in this class.

“Getting to track the future of a player of McKenna’s calibre is one of the things that makes being a hockey fan as fun as it is,” FCHockey scout Kareem Elshafey said. “He’s got the type of talent that opens the door to an incredibly rare calibre of player in the NHL. We’ve been lucky enough to see our fair share of those players over the past decade at No. 1 overall, and McKenna has the opportunity to join that group.”

Superstar Depth Coming in 2026

The 2026 class looks to be a strong one for NHL teams looking to bolster their prospect pools.

While the 2025 class has intrigue with potential difference-makers like Misa and Matthew Schaefer at the top, the 2026 class appears to have more depth with big-time potential.

“I think this class will be widely more anticipated than 2025,” Broad said. “A lot of that will have to do with McKenna, but there appear to be a lot of other really talented players with superstar potential. This could end up being a very strong draft, especially when comparing it to this year’s class.”

Ryan Roobroeck, Ethan Belchetz, Ivar Stenberg, and Viggo Bjorck are forwards who profile to be taken near the top of the draft. Keaton Verhoeff, Ryan Lin, Xavier Villeneuve, Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, and Chase Reid are some early favorites to be first-round selections on the back end.

“From early views of the 2026 class, it appears to be a deep draft class at multiple positions,” Broad said. “Plenty of players across the world are having big roles and impacts in their D-1 seasons, setting themselves up for massive campaigns next year. I think this will be a class that has scouts and fans very excited. It has star power at the top and a lot of talent vying for the top 10.”

Defining a Signature Trait for 2026

McKenna will certainly continue to dominate the headlines for this class.

Beyond him, however, a certain strength on the back end in this class should make NHL decision-makers very pleased.

“Early on, I’d say this draft’s signature trait could be the depth on the blue line,” Broad said. “Particularly on the right side, which we know is coveted by NHL GMs. There are a lot of strong right-handed prospects that have the potential to go early in 2026.”

Verhoeff could be the first defenseman off the board. The Fort Saskatchewan, AB, native impressed with 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 63 games in his first WHL season. He also took on a huge role for Team Canada at the World U18s.

“He has the makings of a true number-one defenseman who can make an impact in all situations and play 23-plus minutes a night,” FCHockey scout Jacob Roth said. “His measurables jump off the page immediately — six-foot-four and 211 pounds.

“His puck skills won’t wow you. He isn’t going to slice and dice through traffic, but he’s smart and simple with the puck. He has a booming shot he can get through from the point. In the defensive end, he plays with bite and physicality that you don’t often see anymore, especially from a player with his offensive skill. His skating is fine, but his feet look a little heavy at times. The NHL’s best skaters will be able to pick it apart if there is no improvement.”

Verhoeff, Lin, Rudolph, and Reid, along with Vladimir Dravecky and Luke Schairer, are all right-handed defensemen who are candidates to be first-round picks.

Excitement Beyond McKenna: The Ontario Boys and the Swedes

Verhoeff and Lin appear to be the early favorites for defensemen-needy teams. The battle for the second forward selected also looks to be a fierce contest.

Roobroeck of Niagara in the Ontario Hockey League will be one of the top challengers for that right. Belchetz of Windsor in the OHL is one of the players right there with him. The two hulking forwards had successful first years.

“Roobroeck’s elite shot and puck skills are his calling cards, looking dangerous with the puck on his stick and using his size and physicality to win puck battles and positioning in dangerous areas,” FCHockey scout Joseph Aleong said. “His vision and balance are high-level, making him a potential top-six NHL forward and easy top-10 prospect for next year.

“Belchetz is even more physically imposing, using his huge frame to wreak havoc in the slot and goal area. He has a great shot and quick release, allowing him to score from anywhere and take advantage of his surprisingly good skating and transition play. His vision and awareness aren’t at the same level as Roobroeck, but his combination of hulking size, strong skating, and skill should make him a strong candidate for a top-10 draft pick.”

The other leading candidates are the Swedes — Bjorck and Stenberg.

Both excelled at the U18 Worlds and in league play in Sweden this season.

“I see the offensive attitude and attack as the big difference,” FCHockey scout Jocke Andersson said. “Stenberg, with his outstanding and dazzling technique, scores more points from the outside and is more technical than Björck is.

“Björck, in turn, is more active and unhurried in the offensive part of the game. This makes him a greater scorer. Overall, I think Björck is a more consistent player all over the court, largely due to his two-way work capacity. But Stenberg has more skills for a power play. It is also important to remember that Björck was born in 2008 and Stenberg in late 2007.”

The 2026 class has a clear headliner, but there are plenty of other exciting acts.

It should have scouts and NHL teams alike excited.

“Outside of McKenna, I would say there are a good chunk of players with ‘superstar’ potential. To me, that is what is most exciting,” Broad said. “When there’s a definitive number one prospect, the rest of the prospects can take a backseat sometimes. I do not see that happening with this class. I think anyone picking in the top five will be thrilled with the potential of the prospect they select.”