NHL drafts and trades are going at a faster pace, so the fights and unnecessary roughing up can’t catch a break in the regular season. But hey, if we just pan the camera towards the Canadian Hockey League, you also get a similar picture. How? An NHL insider has dropped a massive bomb on the Medicine Hat Tigers after the Edmonton Oil Kings game.

Hockey reporter Cam Robinson has revealed, “Gavin McKenna has been suspended three games for this slash over the weekend.” On February 24, in the Oil Kings vs Tigers game, he made a solid hit to the Oil Kings’ player in the 3rd period. Though the Medicine Hat Tigers won the game with a 5-3 final score, Gavin McKenna lost it to some extent. It was a nasty and brutal hit to Edmonton Oil Kings No.2 Mori Josh.

The reporter also revealed that Gavin is currently riding a 35-game point streak which is the 4th longest the CHL has seen in the past 25 years. But his on-ice antics have overshadowed it. And there are also his draft-related talks going on. It is expected that this young prodigy would get a staggering amount of deals in the NHL 2026 drafts. But as Gavin McKenna has been known for unbelievable feats, what does this suspension mean to him as a player?

Well, McKenna is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL drafts. That slash was unexpected from him, surely. The suspension has obviously halted his 35-game streak gaining points but more than that the perspective of looking at future great players has changed a little. Reddit users have mixed reactions, but most are shocked by Gavin McKenna’s reaction. His suspension has put a dent in his aura to some extent. But man, this happens, right? He is only 17 years old and there is much more that is going to happen until 2026. Meanwhile, there is no doubt he is gonna be swell in the national hockey league in the coming future.

Gavin McKenna: Unprecedented feats bestowed 

There is no such evidence about Gavin McKenna doing such slash-stuff, the first of it for him. But people claim the opponent team’s Mori Josh deserved that hit. People believe that the Oil Kings have been skirmish with the Tigers and especially Gavin since November. And reportedly, that has resulted in McKenna losing temper, per Reddit fans.

And what’s the basis for that? McKenna’s clean image and fair play so far. He has stacked an overachieved and illustrious career with the CHL Rookie of the Year Award, the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, a spot on the World U18 Championship Media All-Star Team of 2024, the 2024 All-Rookie Team, and more!

Experts have already discussed him as a future top player since his consideration as an exceptional junior hockey player. If we look at his stats, he has shown greatness. The first overall in the Western Hockey League has scored 32 goals till he played 51 games and made a staggering 74 assists. And we just look at his stats from the World Junior U-20 Championship, 6’1” Gavin McKenna has scored one goal in five games played. 

At just 17 years old and a year early in the NHL drafts, Gavin McKenna grabs headlines every single day. Edmonton fans may still recall the nasty slash he delivered against the Oil Kings, but there’s no doubt he will dominate in the 2026 NHL Draft!