How Gavin McKenna Mastered the 2026 NHL Draft Combine Interviews

Gavin McKenna met with eight NHL teams at the 2026 Draft Combine after two years of sessions with communication expert Steve Shenbaum.

Physical Foundation Meets Media Training

McKenna spent weeks training in Kelowna, B.C., to maximize chin-ups, push-ups and other standardized combine tests scheduled for Friday and Saturday. His agent Pat Brisson noted that McKenna skipped the recent World Championship to focus on these evaluations. Brisson has represented 10 first-overall selections in the past 20 years and emphasized that every detail counts toward draft positioning.

The 18-year-old also worked extensively with former actor Steve Shenbaum of Game On on posture, facial expressions and the handshake. Shenbaum consults for NBA pre-draft programs and trains prospects on delivery as much as content. McKenna’s on-ice resume includes 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers before posting a team-leading 51 points in 35 games as a Penn State freshman.

Brisson highlighted that McKenna could have interviewed with triple the number of teams. The Vancouver Canucks, holding the No. 3 pick, took him to dinner while the Toronto Maple Leafs visited his home in Whitehorse, Yukon. Leafs fans hope McKenna ends their 59-year Stanley Cup drought after the team posted the fifth-worst record this season.

Handling Tough Questions with Preparation

McKenna told NHL.com that the best advice he received was to remain confident and sell himself humbly during the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Brisson confirmed McKenna knows how to manage sensitive topics without going too deep, citing the pending misdemeanor assault charge that followed an initial felony count.

The case, involving a second-degree misdemeanor simple assault plus summary harassment and disorderly conduct charges, saw a judge grant a continuance this week for additional discovery and resolution discussions. Brisson stated the agency is comfortable with McKenna’s approach and respects legal boundaries while viewing the incident as a manageable obstacle that demonstrates growth.

Former GM Brian Burke recalled hostile interviews with past prospects, but Brisson noted modern players arrive better prepared. McKenna’s sessions with Shenbaum produced visible improvements, including better posture during a recent Sportsnet interview.

Off-Ice Traits Signal Long-Term Value

Scouts compare the playmaking left winger to a taller Patrick Kane or Jonathan Huberdeau. Teams evaluate whether his personality and “it” factor translate to on-ice competitiveness and leadership potential. The Leafs seek not only a superstar but a future captain who can accelerate their rebuild.

Brisson stressed that interviews reveal how prospects handle adversity, lessons that carry more weight than any single physical test result. McKenna’s dual-track preparation ensures his off-ice presentation matches his elite production of 51 points in 35 NCAA games.

McKenna’s progression from 41 goals and 129 points in 56 WHL games to 51 points in 35 NCAA games, paired with interview readiness, sets the stage for a franchise-altering selection on June 26.