The Most Sought-After Recruit in Hockey History: How Gavin McKenna could shift the junior hockey landscape

The hockey world has been abuzz with the recent acceptance of Canadian Major Junior players into the NCAA. It’s a seismic shift in the hockey landscape that will have far-reaching implications for several leagues.

“It’s an earth-shattering move that will impact so many different levels of hockey,” one NHL source told Elite Prospects.

We have already seen an exodus of talent from the BCHL and USHL to the CHL. We’ve also seen older CHLers commit to playing in the NCAA next season when the eligibility for Canadian Hockey League players becomes effective on August 1st, 2025.

But what happens when an elite draft-eligible player decides to leave the CHL for the NCAA? 

That’s exactly what could happen next season with potential 2026 No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna.

What exactly goes into a situation like this? Let’s take a look at the facts.