The CHL announced its award winners on Friday, and 17-year-old Gavin McKenna is already at the cream of the crop.

McKenna, a 2026 NHL draft-eligible forward, became the third-youngest player to ever capture the David Branch Player of the Year Award, behind only John Tavares and Sidney Crosby. 

On that same note, Landon DuPont won the CHL Rookie of the Year award, with just Tavares winning at a younger age.

Just under two weeks since the London Knights won the Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que., let’s look at more hardware the CHL handed out on Friday while celebrating the best players and coach from all of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.

David Branch Player of the Year Award: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Runners-up: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit, OHL), Jonathan Fauchon (Rimouski Oceanic, QMJHL)

The CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the CHL.

McKenna had an unbelievable season for the Medicine Hat Tigers, leading them to a WHL championship and the Memorial Cup final. His 129 points were second in the WHL and third in the CHL behind just Michael Misa (134) and Andrew Cristall (132), and he finished behind only Cristall in points per game. 

McKenna has established himself as one of the best prospects in the world, putting his name atop NHL draft rankings heading into next season. He added 38 points in 16 games in the post-season and then six points in four games in the Memorial Cup, where they lost in the final to London. 

McKenna is the fourth consecutive WHL player to win the CHL’s David Branch Player of the Year Award, following Jagger Firkus (2024), Connor Bedard (2023) and Logan Stankoven (2022). 

He became a major problem for opposing teams, showcasing his impressive goal-scoring ability with 41 goals and elevating every player on the ice with him as a playmaker, collecting 88 assists. His ability to process the game at an elite level, manipulate opponents with his silky puckhandling and the quick thinking offensively all allowed him to dominate. 

McKenna’s plans for next season are up in the air a bit as the draw of the NCAA is legitimate, but if this is his final CHL season, he ended his tenure with a bang.

Rookie of the Year Award: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Runners-up: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack, OHL), Matvei Gridin (Shawinigan Cataractes, QMJHL)

Getting 60 points in 64 games as a 15-year-old was wildly impressive. 

What made that all the more impressive was DuPont’s ability to play a solid two-way game, playing big minutes for Everett. 

DuPont, who turned 16 on May 28, will be a name to watch over the next few seasons as he has one of the most impressive and complete packages we’ve seen of any defender coming into the CHL over the last decade or more. His impact all over the ice will only grow as he physically matures and learns to leverage his skating and skill to their fullest extent. 

DuPont is the third exceptional status player to win CHL Rookie of the Year, joining Tavares (2005-06) and Shane Wright (2019-20). 

Defenseman of the Year Award: Sam Dickinson, London Knights (OHL)

Runners-up: Tyson Jugnauth (Portland Winterhawks, WHL), Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL)

Dickinson wins the award after fellow 2024 draft choice and OHLer Zayne Parekh won last year. Dickinson’s game took a massive step this year, dominating the OHL at both ends of the ice. The Knights leaned on him in all situations en route to an OHL title and eventually a Memorial Cup win. Dickinson will likely be given every chance to earn a spot with the San Jose Sharks in training camp in the fall. 

Goaltender of the Year Award: Jackson Parsons, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Runners-up: Max Hildebrand (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL), Jacob Steinman (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

Parsons was at or near the top of just about every goaltending category in the OHL. He led the CHL with 37 wins for Kitchener. He led the OHL with five shutouts and finished second among qualified netminders with a .920 save percentage.

Parsons was the backbone of a Rangers team in flux this season. His performance allowed them to stay relevant as they looked toward the future, and he led the Rangers on a long playoff run that ended against the powerhouse Knights.

Parsons is committed to Clarkson University, where he will continue his hockey career in the NCAA.

Top Scorer Award: Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Runners-up: Andrew Cristall (Spokane Chiefs, WHL), Jonathan Fauchon (Rimouski Oceanic, QMJHL)

The CHL Top Scorer Award is given out annually to the highest-scoring player between the three leagues. With 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games, Misa became the first player in Saginaw Spirit history to top the CHL scoring race. 

Misa was a force throughout the season, scoring multiple points on 46 occasions throughout the regular season. 

He had one of the most productive draft-eligible seasons we’ve seen in years. Only three first-year draft-eligible skaters since 2005 have had more points than Misa: former Oceanic star Sidney Crosby (168 points in 2004-05), former London Knight Patrick Kane (145 points in 2006-07) and former Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard (143 points in 2022-23).

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award: Gardiner MacDougall, Moncton (QMJHL) 

Runners-up: James Patrick (Victoria Royals, WHL), Jussi Ahokas (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

Named in recognition of former Ottawa 67’s bench boss and the CHL’s all-time winningest coach, Brian Kilrea, the award is presented annually to the CHL’s top coach. 

MacDougall is just the third coach in CHL history to win it in his debut season, along with Craig Hartsburg and Gerard Gallant. 

MacDougall has been one of the most successful coaches in hockey over the last half-decade, winning titles at the U Sports and QMJHL levels. He is a shining example of what hockey looks for in coaches, as he not only teaches the players about the X’s and O’s of the game but also helps each player grow as a person over his time in college and junior hockey. 

Top Draft Prospect Award: Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters (OHL)

Runners-up: Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL), Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award goes to the top eligible prospect for the NHL draft from the CHL. 

Schaefer was incredibly impressive whenever he was on the ice this season. Unfortunately, his season was limited by injury, and we only got to see him on the ice for 26 games between the Hlinka, OHL season, World Junior Championship and CHL-USA Prospects challenge. The mobility and cerebral edge he plays with have put him atop many draft rankings despite the missed time.

Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ryan Kennedy's Top 100 The 2025 NHL draft is fast approaching, and with that, it's time to drop some final rankings.

Scholastic Player of the Year Award: Mathieu Cataford, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Runners-up: Max Curran (Tri-City Americans, WHL), Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)

The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom. 

Cataford won the QMJHL’s Marcel-Robert Trophy for on-ice and classroom success on his third straight nomination, maintaining an average above 95 percent. 

The Vegas Golden Knights drafted Cataford 77th overall in 2023, and the 20-year-old had 90 points in 65 games last season for Halifax and 64 points in 54 games this year for Rimouski. Cataford is signed to an entry-level contract but is also now enrolled in business administration at Saint Mary’s University, and he has achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA each semester. He plans to study kinesiology and eventually open a training center.

Humanitarian of the Year Award: Maxwell Jardine, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Runners-up: Kyle McDonough (Portland Winterhawks, WHL), Denver Barkey (London Knights, OHL)

The Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. 

Jardine partnered with Special Olympics P.E.I. to bring athletes to every Islanders home game and raised $5,000. 

Jardine also mentored youth hockey players at local practices and through the Andrews Hockey Academy, took part in anti-bullying school visits and even helped promote the Islanders’ Make-A-Wish Game.

Sportsman of the Year Award: Berkly Catton, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Runners-up: Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires, OHL), Julius Sumpf (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

Catton has long been known as one of the best players in the CHL on and off the ice. The Spokane Chiefs captain was among the league's top scorers and led by example for a squad that made a run to the WHL final, with 109 points and a career-low 30 penalty minutes.

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