McKenna remains No. 1 among North American skaters for 2026 NHL Draft
NHL.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Gavin McKenna, a left wing from Penn State University, is ranked No. 1 among North American skaters for the 2026 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting, noted for his consistent performance and high potential despite his smaller size.
- Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League tops the international skaters list, while defensemen Chase Reid and Carson Carels rank second and third among North American skaters, respectively.
- McKenna's strong NCAA season included 51 points in 35 games, making him a likely first-round pick and potentially Penn State's highest-ever NHL draftee.
- The draft will take place June 26-27 in Buffalo, with the draft lottery scheduled for May 5 to determine the first 16 picks.
- Brady Knowling, a goalie from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, is the top-ranked North American goalie, praised for his size, confidence, and ability to manage play under pressure.
