Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky dives into process behind recruiting Gavin McKenna
The calendar has flipped to June, the month in which the Toronto Maple Leafs will decide who they will take with the number one overall selection.
For years, Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna has been touted to go first overall when his draft year rolled around. During his first season with the Nittany Lions, McKenna impressed, leading the team in points with 51 as an 18-year-old.
On Tuesday, McKenna’s head coach at Penn State, Guy Gadowsky, joined Leafs Morning Take to discuss why he feels McKenna is a fit in Toronto, the process of recruiting McKenna to Penn State, and the factors in McKenna’s game that have allowed him to become an elite talent.
“I think that he’s a perfect guy for Toronto. A Canadian through and through, and I think that’s important. I think he’s a guy that’s very proud of his heritage, his roots, his family, and I think Toronto’s a great spot for him,” Gadowsky said. “I know there’s lots of eyeballs on Toronto, and he’s someone that’s been dealing with that type of pressure and noise for a long time. I think our whole program learned a lot from him on how to focus on what you can control, and not buy into all the noise around you, so I think he’s perfect for Toronto.”
Prior to joining Penn State for the 2025-26 season, McKenna spent three years with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. During his time with the Tigers, McKenna appeared in 133 regular games and recorded 244 points, helping lead the Tigers to a WHL title and a spot in the 2025 Memorial Cup.
Following the Memorial Cup run, McKenna chose to go the college route, deciding to take his talents to the NCAA and test his talents against other players at the collegiate level. Gadowsky touched on what went into securing a commitment from a highly sought-after player like McKenna.
“We didn’t get involved until he was finished with the Memorial Cup, but we had heard rumours that he was considering college. Like every program in the nation, we felt it would be amazing to get a guy like Gavin McKenna. We were respectful and waited but once it was over, we contacted the appropriate people to see if he had interest, and he did,” Gadowsky said. “It was apparent that he’s not someone that stays within his comfort zone. The college schedule that allows you to get bigger and stronger was attractive to him, so he came down and visited, and it was evident the values he has as a person.”
“What makes him exceedingly elite, and different, is just how he sees the game, and thinks the game. There’s nothing that goes on around the rink that he doesn’t process. So, when he’s playing, I think it’s just natural to him,” Gadowsky said. “He makes plays in time and space differently than I’ve ever seen. He’ll create time and space when you think there’s absolutely none. That’s really what makes him different.”
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