Gavin McKenna Named WHL's Rookie Of The Year For 2023-24
McKenna finished the 2023-24 regular season with 34 goals, 63 assists and 97 points in 67 games.
Photo by Randy Feere / Medicine Hat Tigers - Gavin McKenna Named WHL's Rookie Of The Year For 2023-24Gavin McKenna has been named the WHL's Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 season. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward joins Stan Weir, Don Murdoch and Neil Brady as the only players in franchise history to capture the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy. McKenna lead the Tigers in goals and points, while also finishing second in scoring among WHL rookies.
McKenna's rookie season was historic. He set a franchise record for most points by a 16-year-old, surpassing Al Conroy's previous marker of 95 points, which was set back in the 1982-83 season. McKenna also became the first junior hockey player to capture the APTN Bryan Trottier Most Valuable Player Award, which is presented to an Indigenous hockey player who demonstrates on-ice excellence and contributes to the Indigenous community.
To wrap up his season, McKenna also starred for Canada at the IIHF U18 World Championship. The 16-year-old set new Canadian records for goals (10) and points (20) in a single tournament while also capturing Gold. His crowning moment came in the Gold Medal Game, where he scored a hat trick and recorded an assist in a 6-4 win over the United States.
Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
