Yukon hockey phenom Gavin McKenna is “super excited” to be named to Canadian 2023 World U-17 Challenge team.

The tourney takes place Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.

“Super cool for sure,” said the leading scorer for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). “It’ll be super fun and a good experience to represent my country and go back out east for the second time, so yeah, looking forward to it, for sure.”

McKenna, of course, starred in the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. last February-March, setting a record for most points at the men’s hockey tournament (29).

“We’re actually playing at the same rink that I played at for Canada Games,” related McKenna. “I’ll see some familiar faces in the crowd maybe, so that’ll be pretty cool for sure.”

McKenna send it was “super cool” to hear the great news.

“I got a call from the assistant coach (Matt Anholt, also an assistant for the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes) and he told me I made it and then I texted my parents and they were obviously super excited. It was a super cool feeling, for sure.”

McKenna was asked what it’s going to feel like to pull on the Team Canada jersey.

“It’ll definitely feel cool, for sure. Obviously, something I’ve never done before. Looking forward to it for sure. I think it’ll be a big stepping stone for me. Hopefully I’ll learn a lot from it.”

McKenna has a good mindset when it comes to his expectations for the tournament.

“Just kind of go into it with lots of confidence. I’ve got a good team, obviously. I’ve played with a couple of the guys before so super excited to get to play with them. And I think that’ll help me for the tournament. It’s a short tournament so you’ve got to learn your players a bit more and I’ve already played with them so that might be a bit of an advantage. So obviously, go into it with the mindset of winning the tournament, play my game as the tournament goes on.”

McKenna has already played with most of the players on his team at spring and summer tournaments.

He said he was looking forward to experiencing something he hasn’t before.

“My dad and grandparents are gonna be coming out and watching so I get to see them and play in front of them, which I don’t get to do very often. That’ll be super cool and obviously wearing that Canada jersey, something I’ve never done, and dreamed of as a kid. I can’t be more excited.”

McKenna said his WHL season has been “really good.”

“We just got back from our B.C. road trip, where we went 3-2. Definitely could have won a few more games, but our team is super strong this year.”

The Tigers are tied for third in their division, just two points behind the division-leading Lethbridge Hurricanes.

“It’s been a really good year,” said McKenna. “Just a really good team, so it kind of makes it easy. Really good group of guys.”

McKenna said he feels more comfortable in his second year in the league.

“Kind of getting the taste of the league last year, it definitely helps coming in this year.”

McKenna said he hopes he has a shot at the WHL Rookie of the Year award.

“That’s obviously a goal.”

Current WHL rookie points leader, Terik Parascak, scoring at a prolific pace with the Prince George Cougars, looks like McKenna’s main competition for the coveted award.

“He’s doing really good,” said McKenna. “He was in my league last year and we had a battle for points last year too.”

Reaching the 100-point mark is one of his goals, but not the main one.

“That’d be a cool goal. But our main goal as a team is to win a championship. That’s our whole thing and in the locker room this year, we’re going for it this year. And you know, this is our year.”

McKenna has a system that allows him to not look too far ahead in the season.

“I’ve been trying to set little goals like five game segments where I just kind of focus on the short-term and that’ll only lead to better long-term. I can’t really predict what I’m gonna get, so just kind of set goals for just a short term.”

McKenna’s numbers in the WHL are comparable to what Connor Bedard was putting up with the Regina Pats. Because of McKenna’s status as an underage overall number one draft pick, comparisons are inevitable.

“There’s been a few,” noted McKenna. “There’s been a big thing about Bedard (and McKenna) being distant cousins. I think that probably plays a little bit of a factor. I’ve heard it a few times but not a ton.

“He’s obviously put up some huge numbers in this league. So hopefully, I’ll try to follow in his footsteps.”