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Gavin McKenna may have had a notable opportunity with Team Canada this offseason.
Instead, he's focused on the upcoming NHL Draft as he lines up as the favorite to be chosen No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
McKenna was in the running to represent the Canadian team at the IIHF World Championships, which are happening in the second half of May.
He opted to get ready for the NHL Combine.
"It's better for his development to stay back, prepare for the NHL Combine and start his summer training," agent Matt Williams of CAA Hockey told NHL.com. "I know we thought he was going, but it just makes more sense. (Canada) has a deep team."
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The Combine begins on June 1 in Buffalo, so it would've been tough for McKenna to go overseas for a couple weeks, then return immediately and be at his best at the Combine.
There's a case to be made that McKenna doesn't necessarily need to win anyone over at the Combine.
He's been the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in 2026 for a couple years now, dating to his time starring with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL.
He came to the NCAA ranks in 2025-26 and started slow at Penn State before finishing with a flourish.
Now, the Maple Leafs have a chance to pick the Canadian phenom. Toronto had only the fifth-best odds to get the No. 1 pick, but the lottery worked in their favor.
The Leafs could still go away from McKenna, and he'd surely be chosen soon after, but the most likely outcome is McKenna in a Toronto sweater. He just isn't wearing a Canada one this month as he gets ready.
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