Forward Gavin McKenna has decided to decline an invitation to play for Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, choosing instead to prioritize testing and meetings with NHL clubs ahead of the draft.
Prospect testing will take place in Buffalo from June 1 to 6, while the World Championship runs from May 15 to 31 in Zurich and Fribourg.
“Staying here, preparing for the NHL combine and starting his summer training cycle is the best path for his development. Initially, we thought he would join the national team, but this decision makes more sense. Canada has assembled a very strong roster,” said Matt Williams, McKenna’s agent at CAA Hockey.
The 18-year-old Canadian is widely regarded as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. During the 2025-26 season, he played in the NCAA for the University of Pennsylvania, recording 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games.
In the 2024-25 season, he tallied 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 WHL regular-season games with the Medicine Hat Tigers, adding 38 points (9 goals, 29 assists) in 16 playoff contests.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery for the first overall pick, while the San Jose Sharks secured the second selection.
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