Gavin McKenna, the highly touted prospect eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, may have a preferred destination in mind, according to a recent report. Despite a slightly underwhelming start to his college career, the 18-year-old forward remains a projected top pick, and teams are expected to be highly competitive to acquire his services.

According to Sportsnet 960's Pat Steinberg on the Flames Talk podcast, McKenna, who hails from Whitehorse, Yukon, would "love" to play for the Calgary Flames. Steinberg stated he knows "for a fact" that McKenna wants to be a Calgary Flame and would "jump at it" to represent the organization.

McKenna's journey to becoming a top NHL prospect has been closely watched. He was the first Yukon-born player to be drafted first overall in the Western Hockey League (WHL), selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2022. In his first full WHL season (2023-24), McKenna showcased his offensive talent, amassing 34 goals and 97 points in 61 games and was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie of the year. He also won the CHL Rookie of the Year Award. Before the 2024-25 season, the Tigers named McKenna as an alternate captain.

McKenna's performance at the international level has further solidified his status as a top prospect. At the 2024 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship, he led Team Canada to a gold medal with a record-setting performance, including a hat trick in the final game. He set a Canadian record for points in a single U18 tournament with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in seven games.

This season, McKenna transitioned to college hockey, joining Penn State University. As of January 2026, he has recorded 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists) in 18 games for the Nittany Lions. He also represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he contributed 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in seven games, helping the team secure a bronze medal.

Despite the buzz surrounding his potential as the first-overall pick in 2026, McKenna faced scrutiny during the World Junior Championship. Some observers felt he "faded into the background at times", while others defended him, noting the pressure he faces as a highly touted prospect. Zayne Parekh, a Calgary Flames defenseman and teammate on the Canadian team, urged people to be "less hard on him and just let him breathe".

While McKenna's NHL future remains uncertain, the insider report suggesting his desire to play for the Calgary Flames adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding this young talent. It is important to note that McKenna will have no direct control over which team drafts him. However, the possibility of playing for a Canadian team, particularly one relatively close to his Yukon home, could be a motivating factor as he continues to develop his game at Penn State.