The hockey world is buzzing about Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. On Tuesday night, he made headlines twice: committing to Penn State University and revealing the NHL legend who shaped his playing style. The answer might surprise you.
When young hockey stars talk about their influences, names like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, or Connor Bedard usually come up. But for Gavin McKenna, the top projected pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, his biggest inspiration was Patrick Kane, the Chicago Blackhawks legend known for his elite puck handling, creativity, and clutch performances.
On Tuesday evening, McKenna made two major announcements. First, he officially committed to Penn State University, a growing NCAA hockey powerhouse. Second, during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, he opened up about the player who inspired him most as a young athlete.
“Patrick Kane was my guy growing up,” McKenna said. “Just the way he played always excited me.”
Gavin McKenna talks about modelling his game after Patrick Kane. pic.twitter.com/57Gc1FPg7z
— BarDown (@BarDown) July 8, 2025
McKenna also explained that watching Kane during the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup runs left a lasting impression on him. Between 2009 and 2015, the Blackhawks captured three Stanley Cups, with Kane serving as the driving offensive force behind those championship teams. For a young McKenna glued to his television during that era, it provided the perfect blueprint for the type of player he wanted to become.
“Growing up, I was a Blackhawks fan,” he continued. “I always had them on the TV. They were obviously on a dynasty there. He was the guy that was kind of leading the charge.”
This connection becomes even more intriguing when you consider that the Chicago Blackhawks could very well be in position to draft McKenna in 2026. The franchise is currently rebuilding and has secured top-three picks in each of the last three drafts. One of those selections brought in Connor Bedard, who happens to be McKenna’s cousin by marriage, adding another layer to a potential family reunion in Chicago.
If the Blackhawks remain in the lottery conversation in 2026, the possibility of pairing McKenna with Bedard would create a dynamic duo of offensive threats with personal ties. For the organization and its fans, that scenario would be nothing short of a dream come true.
However, plenty has to unfold between now and then. McKenna will begin his NCAA career at Penn State, where scouts, executives, and fans will closely watch his development. His performance at the collegiate level will be crucial in confirming the “generational” label that’s already been attached to him following his standout junior career.
The comparisons to players like Kane aren’t just about admiration. McKenna plays with similar flair, combining speed, hands, and vision in ways that excite crowds and worry defenders. Much like Kane, he has the potential to become the face of a franchise for years to come.
For now, all eyes turn to State College, Pennsylvania, where McKenna will take the next step in a journey that could eventually bring him full circle to the very NHL team that helped inspire his love for the game.
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