Gavin McKenna celebrates a goal in Game 5 of the WHL Championship Series against the Spokane Chiefs. Photo Credit: Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs

By Will Bryant

Sports

Gavin McKenna named CHL Player of the Year

Jun 13, 2025 | 9:45 AM

Gavin McKenna has been named the recipient of the CHL’s David Branch Player of the Year award.

McKenna put up 129 points during the regular season, including a staggering 54-game point streak – a modern-day CHL record.

McKenna becomes the third youngest recipient of the CHL’s highest individual honour, only behind Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic, 2004) and John Tavares (Oshawa Generals, 2007), and just the sixth player to win the award before turning 18.

This marks the first time that a Medicine Hat Tiger has been named the CHL’s Player of the Year.

The last Tiger eligible for the honour was Kris Russell during the 2006-07 season, but he lost out to the aforementioned John Tavares.

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With the win, this marks the fourth consecutive season a WHL player has been named the CHL’s Player of the Year, following Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors, 2024), Connor Bedard (Regina Pats, 2023), and Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers, 2022).

The 2025-26 season kicks off for McKenna and the now six-time WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers on September 20th, 2025, at home against the Regina Pats.