A new documentary follows Gavin McKenna’s first season of college hockey and his rapid rise toward the top of the 2026 NHL Draft. The McKenna Project is set to air on TNT after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Gavin McKenna’s Journey in College Hockey
The film traces McKenna’s path from his hometown and backyard rink in Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena, with notable stops along the way. McKenna arrived in State College with extraordinary attention for a freshman and spent the year navigating both the demands of NCAA hockey and a constant public spotlight.
On the ice, he ranked among the nation’s best, tying for fifth in scoring with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games. He was named Big Ten Rookie of the Year and made the top 10 for the Hobey Baker Award, which honors the top men’s college player.
The documentary captures the season’s turning points, including early inconsistency under heavy expectations and the midseason surge that followed Canada’s bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The filmmaker underscores how McKenna managed shifting expectations and intense scrutiny with uncommon poise for his age, learning when to tune out distractions as the season progressed.
Viewers also see McKenna return to Whitehorse to spend time with family, including his grandfather Joe Mason. Mason’s experience as a survivor of Canada’s First Nations residential school system—institutions that separated children from their families and where many suffered abuse—adds context to McKenna’s perspective and motivation.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 and hold the No. 1 pick, a development that could intensify the attention around McKenna. The film presents a player seen as prepared for that next step, having already shown he can handle the noise that comes with elite expectations.
As viewers tune in to The McKenna Project, they will not only witness the exhilarating highs and challenging lows of college hockey but also gain a deeper understanding of the personal journey that shapes an athlete’s resilience and ambition. This documentary is a must-watch for hockey fans and aspiring players alike, offering a glimpse into the life of a future NHL star.