DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: Ivar Stenberg

  • The Final Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    By Stuart Miller-Davis

    The 2025-26 season has officially come to a close for NHL Draft prospects around the world. The Kitchener Rangers capped off an undefeated run at the Memorial Cup by capturing the franchise’s third title, while Finland closed out the World Championship in Switzerland by defeating the host nation for gold.

    With the season now complete, scouts and NHL front offices will spend the coming weeks relying on video review for final evaluations ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. With only a limited number of draft-eligible players still active over the past week, this edition of the three stars serves as a season-ending look at the prospects who made the biggest impact in this column throughout the year.

    Here are Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 Draft-Eligible Three Stars for the 2025-26 season.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (NCAA)

    The top-ranked prospect on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings also claims the top spot in the season-ending three stars.

    After taking some time to adjust to the college game, Gavin McKenna quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NCAA. The Whitehorse, Yukon native finished his freshman campaign at Penn State with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games, ranking fourth in NCAA scoring as an 18-year-old freshman.

    McKenna also played a major role for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota. Following a limited role in his first tournament appearance in 2024-25, where he recorded just one point in five games, the former Medicine Hat Tigers star returned with a dominant showing. He produced 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games to help Canada capture the bronze medal.

    Ivar Stenberg | LW/RW | Frölunda HC (SHL)

    Ivar Stenberg’s remarkable draft season earns him the second star of the year.

    The Swedish winger produced near-historic numbers in the SHL, recording 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games. Since 1990, only Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, and Henrik Sedin have produced more points in their 18-year-old season in Sweden’s top professional league.

    The second-ranked prospect on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings also excelled internationally. The Stenungsund native recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games at the World Junior Championship, helping Sweden capture gold.

    Stenberg later debuted with Sweden’s senior national team during the European Hockey Tour, where he averaged a point per game across five contests before earning a roster spot at the World Championship.

    At the tournament in Switzerland, the younger brother of St. Louis Blues forward Otto Stenberg continued to impress against elite competition. His eight points in eight games ranked behind only Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews, Juraj Slafkovský, and Paul Kariya among draft-eligible players in tournament history.

    Viggo Björck | C | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

    While Viggo Björck did not produce the same offensive totals as fellow Swede Ivar Stenberg in the SHL, his overall body of work cemented him as one of the premier prospects in the 2026 class.

    The Stockholm native recorded 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 SHL games during his draft season, but his progression throughout the year was equally notable. Björck earned increased responsibility as the season progressed and eventually rose into Djurgårdens’ top-line center role late in the campaign.

    After the club’s professional season ended in the opening round of the playoffs, Björck joined Djurgårdens’ U20 squad and immediately dominated. The undersized center recorded 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in nine playoff games while helping lead the team to a U20 championship.

    Björck also enjoyed a standout international season. Skating alongside Stenberg on Sweden’s second line at the World Junior Championship, he contributed nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games during the gold-medal run.

    Like Stenberg, Björck also earned his first call-up to Sweden’s senior national team. He recorded two goals in five European Hockey Tour games before adding six points (one goal, five assists) in eight appearances at the World Championship.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

    Few draft-eligible defensemen were more entertaining or productive during the 2025-26 season than Daxon Rudolph.

    The Prince Albert Raiders blueliner finished third among WHL defensemen in scoring with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games. Wearing an “A” in his second season with the club, the Lacombe, Alberta native helped lead Prince Albert to first place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.

    The 6-foot-2, 203-pound defender carried that offensive production into the postseason. Rudolph tied Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen for the WHL playoff scoring lead with 27 points in 19 games.

    Behind the leadership of Rudolph and Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes, the Raiders advanced all the way to the WHL Final before falling to the Everett Silvertips in five games.

    Honorable Mentions

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Carson Carels | LHD | Prince George Cougars (WHL)

    Liam Ruck | RW | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

  • Weekly 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Three Stars

    By Stuart Miller-Davis

    With playoff runs coming to an end across much of the hockey world, the draft year is officially winding down for many NHL hopefuls. While a select few still have opportunities to impress at the Memorial Cup or the IIHF World Championship, most prospects have already completed the most important campaigns of their young careers.

    This week’s three stars feature two Swedish forwards continuing to prove they can thrive against significantly older competition, along with an overage QMJHL forward whose strong finish helped deliver a championship for his club.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of May 11 to 18.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Sweden (WC)

    Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg has shown throughout his draft year that no stage is too big. After producing one of the strongest seasons ever by an 18-year-old in the SHL and playing a major role in Sweden’s gold medal run at the World Junior Championship, the Stenungsund native is now making his mark at the IIHF World Championship.

    The 6-foot forward recorded three assists in as many games this past week in Switzerland and has looked right at home on Sweden’s top line alongside Detroit Red Wings standout Lucas Raymond and fellow draft-eligible forward Viggo Björck.

    The second-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings recorded a pair of assists in Sweden’s dominant win over Denmark. His playmaking ability was on full display, particularly on a setup to Björck, who converted with a one-timer past the Danish goaltender.

    Stenberg also added a secondary assist on a goal by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Sweden’s comeback attempt against Czechia, though the Swedes ultimately fell short.

    Viggo Björck | C | Sweden (WC)

    Viggo Björck continues to strengthen his draft stock with every opportunity against older competition. The Swedish center emerged as Djurgården’s top-line pivot late in the season before dominating the U20 playoffs, where he recorded 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in nine games and helped lead his club to a league championship.

    Though slightly undersized at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, the Stockholm native has continued to prove that his skill and hockey sense allow him to thrive against more physically mature competition.

    That trust has carried over to the international stage, where Sweden has deployed Björck at center on its top line at the World Championship.

    Both of his tournament points came against Denmark, but his impact has extended well beyond the scoresheet. Among Swedish forwards, only established NHL players Lucas Raymond, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Adrian Kempe have averaged more ice time than the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect Wilson Björck.

    Liam Lefebvre | C | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

    Overage forward Liam Lefebvre has made a seamless transition from United States prep school hockey to Canadian major junior, emerging as an important contributor during a championship run.

    The Montreal native recorded 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 35 games with the Rimouski Océanic before being acquired by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens ahead of the trade deadline.

    The 6-foot-3, 203-pound center elevated his production after the move to one of the QMJHL’s top clubs, recording 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 25 games. Despite averaging just 14:32 of ice time per game, the Trinity-Pawling alumnus finished third on the team in points per game among skaters who appeared in at least 45 contests.

    Lefebvre added four points in four games this past week, helping the Saguenéens secure their first league championship since 1994. His ability to provide secondary scoring and consistent two-way play proved to be an important part of Chicoutimi’s title-winning run.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    As playoff races near their conclusion across North America and international play ramps up ahead of the World Championship, draft-eligible prospects continue to deliver defining performances. With championships within reach and national team opportunities on the line, this stage of the season offers a clear look at which players can elevate their game in high-pressure moments.

    This week’s three stars feature a Western Hockey League defenseman leading the postseason in scoring while driving his team toward a title, an Ontario Hockey League center continuing to anchor one of the league’s top contenders, and a Swedish winger transitioning seamlessly from junior and professional success to the international stage.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

    Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph is putting together a dominant postseason. The 12th-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings leads the WHL in playoff scoring with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 15 games, continuing to assert himself as one of the top offensive threats in the draft class.

    The Lacombe, Alberta native has built on a strong regular season in which he led all draft-eligible WHL defensemen in scoring, serving as a primary driver for Prince Albert’s push toward a championship.

    Rudolph opened the scoring in Game 3 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final against the Medicine Hat Tigers. After collecting the puck off an offensive zone draw, he worked his way into the slot, flipped a backhand on goal, and followed up to tip in the rebound. He finished with a game-high eight shots on goal in a 2-1 overtime loss.

    He delivered his most productive outing of the postseason in Game 4, setting a new career high for points in a playoff game. Rudolph struck on the power play from the point midway through the first period, then added another goal early in the second, slipping into the offensive zone and wiring a wrist shot over the glove. He later recorded two assists in the same frame as the Raiders built a 5-2 lead.

    Rudolph added an assist in Game 5 before closing the series with another impactful performance. He recorded a secondary power-play assist on a goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes, then created the go-ahead tally by cutting off a clearing attempt and directing the puck toward the net, where it took a fortunate bounce past the goaltender. He added another assist to help secure the series win.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Caleb Malhotra has continued to build on an outstanding rookie season, reinforcing his position as one of the top centers in the 2026 NHL Draft class. The Brantford Bulldogs forward finished the regular season with 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists), trailing only Seattle Kraken first-round pick Jake O’Brien in team scoring.

    The Toronto native has elevated his play in the postseason, sitting second in OHL playoff scoring with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists). His ability to consistently generate offense has been a key factor in Brantford’s deep playoff run.

    Malhotra recorded three assists in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Barrie Colts before adding a power-play goal in the third period to cap a 6-1 victory.

    He opened the scoring in Game 5 with an individual effort, taking a breakout pass into the offensive zone and beating the goaltender with a slapshot through the five-hole. Later in the game, he responded to a Colts goal by driving the net and converting a rebound off a shot from Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Protz. Despite his efforts, Brantford fell in overtime.

    In Game 6, Malhotra helped set the tone early once again. He intercepted a clearing attempt and quickly moved the puck to the front of the net, where draft-eligible Cooper Dennis converted. That stood as his lone point in a tightly contested game that extended to four periods, with Barrie ultimately securing the win.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Sweden

    Ivar Stenberg continues to strengthen his case as one of the premier prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft class. The Stenungsund native enjoyed an outstanding SHL season, recording 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games — the fifth-highest total by an 18-year-old in league history, behind Daniel Sedin, Markus Näslund, Tomas Sandström, and Henrik Sedin.

    Stenberg also played a significant role in Sweden’s gold medal run at the World Junior Championship, finishing tied for fifth in tournament scoring.

    The second-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings transitioned to the international stage once again following his club season. After recording four assists in six playoff games, he joined Sweden’s pre-tournament roster for the World Championship and suited up for three Euro Hockey Tour games in Czechia.

    He made an immediate impact in his first appearance against Switzerland, recording his first senior international point by setting up fellow draft-eligible Viggo Björck on a play from the offensive zone. He added another assist by moving the puck back to the point before scoring a power-play goal late in the third, stepping in and placing a precise wrist shot past the goaltender.

    Stenberg followed that performance by opening the scoring against Czechia, beating the goaltender cleanly with a wrist shot from the offensive zone. He added a secondary assist later in the game, continuing to drive play.

    He was held off the scoresheet in the final game against Finland but remained an active presence throughout the contest.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    While most of the hockey world was locked on the Olympic tournament in Milan over the last couple of weeks, prospects across the globe continued to play games. In this week’s draft-eligible three stars, a prospective number one overall pick in 2026 shows why he still deserves the hype, a Russian winger makes his first appearance after a productive week, and a Czech winger reaches a big milestone as his strong season continues.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (NCAA)

    Gavin McKenna may not have the firm grip on being the first overall pick in 2026 as it seemed to be prophesied, with challengers in Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg and Canadian NCAA defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, but the phenom is doing everything he can to remind people why he got that distinction in the first place.

    The former CHL Player of the Year was downright dominant this week in a pair of games against Ohio State, picking up 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in two games. The Whitehorse, YT, native had a night for the ages. With five primary assists, two secondary helpers, and a goal, McKenna set program records for most points and assists in a game. The former Medicine Hat Tiger is the first player to have eight or more points in a single game against another Division 1 program since Bob Joyce had nine points in a game on Jan 2, 1987.

    The number one overall ranked player on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings followed up his historic night with eight shots on goal in almost 27 and a half minutes of ice time. He sent a perfect backdoor slap pass for a helper on Penn State’s third goal in the comeback from down 4-2. The freshman made an Ohio State defender look silly before he sniped the overtime winner over the blocker to complete the rally.

    Oleg Kulebyakin | LW | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

    Russian winger Oleg Kulebyakin leads the Halifax Mooseheads in points with 60 (26 goals, 34 assists) in 55 games and is fourth in league scoring among 2026 draft-eligible prospects. The St. Petersburg native is no stranger to North American hockey, having come to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights during the 2023-24 season and staying since.

    The University of Massachusetts commit for 2027-28 was the number 68 ranked skater on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Ranking for North American skaters. The Lincoln Stars alumnus picked up at least a point in all four games this week for a total of nine points (three goals, six assists).

    After a pair of two-point outings to start the week, he notched one goal in a 7-4 loss to Drummondville before his signature game of the period. Kulebyakin was named the first star while registering four points (one goal, three assists) against the Rimouski Oceanic. After falling behind 1-0, the Mooseheads headed to the power play, where Kulebyakin set up the first of seven unanswered goals for the visitors. He set up a second power play marker in the third period. With 51 seconds left to go in the game, Kulebyakin found himself open in the slot and picked the corner with a wrist shot to make it 7-1.

    Adam Novotný | LW | Peterborough Petes (OHL)

    Czech winger Adam Novotný continues to impress in his first season of North American hockey. The slick shooter is third in the OHL among draft-eligible players in goals with 30, behind only Nikita Klepov (33) of the Saginaw Spirit and Ethan Belchetz (32) of the Windsor Spitfires. Novotný, who served as the captain for Team East, was sensational in January at the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game with a pair of goals.

    The Hradec Kralove, Czechia, native opened the week on Family Day with a goal and an assist to earn first-star honors in a 3-2 shootout win for the Petes over the Kitchener Rangers. He followed it up with a goal on a great individual effort to pot a goal with just under two minutes left in the contest against the North Bay Battalion to make it 5-4 in a game the Petes would ultimately fall in. The former Mountfield HK player added a goal and an assist in his team’s third contest of the week against the Brampton Steelheads.

    Novotný saved his best for last, helping the Petes in a big way to take down the Brantford Bulldogs on Sunday. Early in the first period, the 6-foot-1 winger swiped down a clearing attempt by the Bulldogs and stepped in to snipe a wrist shot off the bar and in to open the scoring. He continued to hound the Bulldogs all game with nine shots, but none was bigger than his overtime winner. With the Petes on the power play, Novotný took a pass before a couple of strides and picked his spot with a seeing-eye wrist shot over the glove of David Egorov.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars: World Junior Edition Part Two

    The 2026 edition of the World Junior Championship has brought plenty of excitement in Minnesota, and the 2026 draft eligibles have been quite impressive at the tournament. Team Sweden advanced to the final in a thrilling shootout victory over Finland, with draft eligibles Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck playing big roles. Team Czechia continued its streak of dominance over Canada in elimination games at the tournament. With a stunning pair of late third-period goals, the Czechs will play against the Swedes to try to win the country’s first gold medal at the event since back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001. Canada will look to capture its first medal in the tournament since 2023 in a bronze medal game with Finland. Here is the second group of three stars for the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Team Canada (U20)

    Gavin McKenna hasn’t been a necessarily dominant force at his second world junior championship but has still demonstrated throughout the tournament why many still have him as the number one prospect in the 2026 class. The Whitehorse, Yukon native led all draft eligibles in the tournament in points before the gold and bronze medal games with ten (three goals, seven assists) in six games.

    The top-ranked skater on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings had his big breakout game of the tournament in a 9-1 rout of Denmark. McKenna opened the scoring with a perfect power play goal. After taking a pass from Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage in the right faceoff dot, McKenna fired a perfectly placed wrist shot into the top corner before the Danish keeper could move over. In the second period, with Canada ahead 4-1, the Penn State prodigy found himself alone in the right faceoff circle yet again. This time it was Nashville prospect Brady Martin feeding him a dish that he served straight to the back of the net in a goal that was eerily similar to his first. With the game already well out of hand with Canada leading 6-1 and outshooting the Danes 35-8, McKenna showed off his slick hands to add insult to injury. Hage found McKenna with a slick cross-ice breakaway-like pass, and after faking a wrist shot, the 2024 CHL Player of the Year tucked the puck in behind the Danish keeper.

    McKenna added an assist in games against Finland, Slovakia, and the semifinal loss to Czechia.

    Viggo Björck | C | Team Sweden (U20)

    With teammate Ivar Stenberg stealing a lot of the headlines about Swedish draft eligibles this season, it might have been easy for Viggo Björck to go under the radar a little bit. That has not been the case. Björck and Stenberg, who have often been paired together on Sweden’s second line, have been almost equally as dangerous in the tournament. The pair are tied for third in tournament scoring among draft eligibles with Jasper Kuhta at seven points in six games.

    The younger brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect and teammate at the tournament, Wilson, only missed the scoresheet against Slovakia in the team’s opening game. The 11th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Prospect Rankings scored twice in an 8-1 rout of Germany in the team’s third game of the tournament but saved perhaps his most impressive showing for the semifinal against Finland.

    With the Swedes deadlocked in a 2-2 tie in the second period, Björck helped keep the puck alive in the offensive zone. He forced a turnover straight to Stenberg, who fed Detroit Red Wings prospect Eddie Genborg, and he banked a shot off Finland’s goalie and in for the 3-2 lead. In overtime, Björck was a breakaway machine. He had four one-on-one chances on Petteri Rimpinen but was unable to solve the goalie. Björck also led Swedish forwards in ice time in the semifinal and was the best faceoff man for his team with 10 wins.

    Thomas Chrenko | C | Slovakia (U20)

    Slovakian center Thomas Chrenko entered the tournament with far less expectation than many other 2026 draft eligibles, but he put on a show that is surely going to make scouts interested. The 33rd-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Prospects Ranking finished second to McKenna in tournament scoring among draft eligibles before the gold and bronze medal games with eight points (five goals, three assists) in five games.

    Chrenko was held off the scoresheet in the tournament opener against Sweden but roared back with a vengeance in game two. He registered nine shots on goal against Germany and scored three of the Slovak’s four goals in the win.

    His signature game of the tournament came in a big moment against the host, the United States. In the middle of the first period, with the Slovaks already ahead 1-0, Chrenko unloaded a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot through traffic to give the Slovaks a two-goal advantage. The Slovaks trailing 6-4 with time running out pulled the goalie, and on an almost identical shot to his first, Chrenko drew his squad within one. With a teammate parked right in front of the American crease, Chrenko fired a shot that found its way through to give the Slovaks a chance just as the PA announcer blurted out there were two minutes left in regulation.

    Chrenko potted two assists against Switzerland in the Slovaks’ final group stage game. He and the rest of Slovakia struggled mightily against Canada in the quarterfinal. He only registered one shot and finished as a -4.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars: World Junior Edition

    The World Junior Championships are well underway, with preliminary games running through to the all-important New Year’s Eve games. The quarterfinals will start in the new year on January 2. While tournament rosters often skew towards already drafted players for countries to bring the best talent, the 2026 edition features a good crop of draft eligibles competing in Minnesota.

    Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Team Sweden (U20)

    Ivar Stenberg’s exploits this season playing against men in Sweden’s top pro league already earned him a spot in a weekly wrap-up earlier this season, and against his peers he continues to dominate. The third-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings should solidify himself as a top player in this class with a strong tournament in Minnesota.

    He’s off to a good start in a pair of preliminary games with three points (one goal, two assists). In the tournament opener, Stenberg picked up a secondary assist on 2024 third overall pick Anton Frondell’s power play blast to open the scoring. With the game tied at two in the late stages of the third period, Stenberg took a feed from Eddie Genborg and took the puck to the net. He made no mistake with a slick backhand that he fed through the pads of the sliding Slovakian goaltender.

    In his second game of the tournament, Stenberg was all around the net. He recorded four shots on goal but wasn’t able to get one to go in. He did, however, add an assist on the Swede’s empty netter by Anaheim Ducks’ 2024 fifth-round pick Lucas Pettersson to close out Switzerland 4-2.

    Jasper Kuhta | C | Team Finland (U20)

    Jasper Kuhta was already catching scouts’ eyes with his production with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL this season but could elevate his draft stock even more if he continues his strong play in Minnesota. The 19-year-old has 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games in his first season of North American hockey.

    He was all over the scoresheet in his team’s opening game of the tournament against Denmark. Just under two minutes into the game, Kuta fed the puck from behind the net to fellow undrafted 19-year-old Roope Vesterinen. He fired a shot and then popped in his own rebound for the 1-0 lead. Kuhta picked up primary assists on a goal by 2026 draft-eligible Oliver Suvanto and a second goal by Vesterinen as the Fins cruised to a 6-2 win.

    Kuhta notched his first career World Junior Championship goal in his second tournament game in an 8-0 rout of Latvia. Looking for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Max Westergärd in front, Kutha’s pass directed off the goal stick of keeper Mikus Vecvanags and into the net. Later in the game, Kutha added a secondary assist on another goal by Vesterinen in a thorough beatdown of Latvia.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Team Canada (U20)

    Gavin McKenna has had expectations heaped onto him for a very long time, and with good reason. The reigning CHL player of the year has been pegged as the top prospect for 2026 for a while. McKenna’s NCAA numbers don’t scream “number one overall” as loudly as some would like. 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) is good production for a player who just turned 18 on December 20. After some of the eye-popping numbers from college prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli in recent seasons, the hockey community was expecting a little more. Despite all that, his talent still has him as the number one overall prospect on the Draft Prospect Hockey NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.

    McKenna is off to a soaring start in Minnesota after finding the back of the net once for his only point in five games at the tournament last year in Ottawa. The Yukon native fed a perfect pass to Nashville Predators prospect Brady Martin, who put home Canada’s first goal of the tournament against Czechia. He added another primary assist in the third period as Canada broke a 3-3 tie. McKenna sent a saucer pass across to Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh. The 2024-25 CHL defenseman of the year skated around a little before firing a wrist shot up and over the Czechia keeper for his second goal of the contest.

    McKenna was instrumental in Canada’s second game of the tournament to help them escape a nail-biter in overtime against Latvia. After Canada was handed a five-minute power play, the Penn State Nittany Lion fed Calgary Flames prospect Cole Reshny in front. Reschny took a few steps before wiring a shot high blocker side for the 1-0 lead. On the man advantage in overtime, McKenna fed a on-time pass to Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage, who made no mistake wiring home the overtime winner.