Key Takeaways
- Canada’s World Junior staff is excited to see what McKenna can do playing against players closer to his own age
- McKenna is an elite playmaker with the ability to make elite passes and set up teammates for open nets
- He has showcased his skills in Canada’s pre-tournament games, including a 2-1 win against Sweden
- McKenna wants to be more than just an offensive force and aims to lead the team to a gold medal
- Canada’s team includes six players with NHL experience, including defensemen Harrison Brunicke and Zayne Parekh, and forwards Braeden Cootes, Jett Luchanko, Brady Martin, and Misa
Introduction to McKenna’s Skills
Canada’s World Junior staff is excited to see what McKenna will be able to do playing against players closer to his own age. Mark Hunter, the head of Canada’s WJC management group, has been impressed with McKenna’s skills, stating that he "makes elite passes" and is an "elite playmaker." Hunter has had the opportunity to watch McKenna play a couple of times this year and is impressed with his ability to quickly get pucks to the net and set up teammates for open nets. This is a crucial aspect of McKenna’s game, as it allows him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and contribute to the team’s overall offense.
McKenna’s Performance in Pre-Tournament Games
McKenna showcased some of his skills during Canada’s first pre-tournament game, a 2-1 win against Sweden on December 17. In this game, McKenna had the primary assist on two goals by Brady Martin, demonstrating his ability to set up teammates for scoring opportunities. Martin praised McKenna’s skills, stating that he "put pucks in spots where I can get them" and that it’s "pretty easy to play with him." This is a testament to McKenna’s vision and passing ability, as well as his ability to read the game and make smart decisions on the ice.
McKenna’s Goals and Expectations
But McKenna wants to be more than just an offensive force. He has high expectations for himself and wants to be one of the top players on the team. He aims to lead the team and show his teammates what it takes to be successful, with the ultimate goal of winning a gold medal. This level of dedication and leadership is essential for a team’s success, and McKenna’s willingness to take on this role is a positive sign for Canada’s World Junior team. As McKenna stated, "I expect a lot. I expect to be one of the top guys. I want to lead this team. I want to be a leader, I want to show the guys what it takes. Hopefully lead us to a gold medal."
Support from Experienced Players
McKenna will have help in achieving his goals, as Canada’s team includes six players with NHL experience. These players include defensemen Harrison Brunicke and Zayne Parekh, and forwards Braeden Cootes, Jett Luchanko, Brady Martin, and Misa. Misa, in particular, is expected to make a significant contribution to the team’s offense, having led the CHL last season with 134 points in 65 games. Canada WJC general manager Alan Millar believes that Misa adds another dynamic to the team’s offense and special teams, stating that "he adds another element and adds another level in terms of our skill and sense." This level of experience and skill will be essential in helping McKenna achieve his goals and leading the team to success.
Importance of Scoring Goals
As Millar noted, scoring goals is crucial for the team’s success. Last year, Canada struggled to score, with only seven even-strength goals in five games at the 2025 WJC. The team’s power play was also a concern, with a conversion rate of 21.1 percent. However, with the addition of players like Misa and McKenna, Canada’s offense is expected to be more potent this year. Millar emphasized the importance of playing with structure and keeping pucks out of the net, but also noted that scoring goals is essential. As he stated, "you want to have details, you want to play with structure, you want to play the right way, you want to keep pucks out of your net. But at the same time, as we found out a year ago, you’ve got to score goals as well." This balance between defense and offense will be key to Canada’s success in the World Junior tournament.