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Windspeaker.com Special Report
Gavin McKenna and Carter Bear are among 25 hockey players selected to represent Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which takes place in Minnesota starting Dec. 26 and runs to Jan. 5, 2026.
In the “A” group are teams from the United States, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland and Germany. In the “B” group, Canada joins Finland, Czechia, Latvia and Denmark in international play. There are two groupings for the purpose of playoff format and seeding. The host country can make one change to the groupings, and the United States sent Canada from its group "A" to group "B".
While their role at the tournament is to help lead Team Canada to a gold medal, McKenna, 18, and Bear, 19, are also leading a new era of elite Indigenous hockey talent.
McKenna is a member of Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation and was born in Whitehorse, Yukon.
“You know, Indigenous people have come a long way,” said McKenna about representing his First Nation at the high-level competition. “We weren’t treated the same as other people. For myself, I want to represent my Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation band as a strong leader. I want to be that guy who can motivate people to work towards their goals.”
Regarded by analysts as the consensus first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, scheduled for end of June next year, McKenna has worked hard over the years to be at the top of his game.
He was selected first overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2022 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft when he was just 14 years old.
Since then, he’s amassed 79 goals and 165 assists (244 points) in 133 games with the Tigers, leading all Canadian Hockey League players in points-per-game (2.32) across the 2024–25 season (playoffs included).
Bear was born in West St. Paul, Man. and is proud to represent Peguis First Nation on the international stage.
“It’s pretty honouring to represent Peguis First Nation, represent my name, and try to grow the game as much as I can for my community.”
Bear recorded 40 goals and 42 assists in 56 games during a breakout 2024–25 WHL season.
Despite suffering an Achilles tendon injury that would cut his campaign short, he was selected 13th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
“It’s been a pretty crazy year for me, for sure,” Bear said. “Going through an injury that big, it’s crazy to hear the news that you’re not going to help the team during the playoffs or maybe even not play for a whole year. I was pretty down on myself for a little bit, but I stuck with the positive thoughts, just telling myself ‘it’s gonna get better’ day-by-day. And now it’s so cool to have this chance at the World Juniors. It’s my first time putting on the Canada jersey and that was pretty special.”
While Canada’s Dec. 17 exhibition match against Sweden was the first time Bear represented Team Canada, McKenna is no stranger to international competition. He was on last year’s World Junior team where he wore a hide vest over his suit jacket off ice, which was handcrafted by his grandmother.
“That meant a lot to me and my family. My grandma, she’s made one for myself, my uncles, my cousins, and it takes a lot of work and time. She does it all by herself. I know she was happy and thankful to see me represent my Indigenous pride on the highest stage.”
Both McKenna and Bear expressed gratitude when recognizing the role their families and communities have played in shaping their personal and athletic development.
“My family sacrificed a lot for me. You know, growing up in Whitehorse, it was expensive to fly out to the big cities for competition, but local companies would support me through sponsorships and help fund those trips. So, whenever I’m home I want to give back to the community. They’ve always supported me and that means a lot to me,” said McKenna.
“My grandparents are from Peguis, Manitoba, and I go and visit them every summer. That’s where all of my family is and I can’t thank them enough for their support,” said Bear.
When asked what their message is for the Indigenous youth across the country that are cheering for their success, Bear said “I can’t thank them enough for their support. Growing up watching this tournament and now having the chance to play, it’s an unreal feeling, so I can’t thank them enough.”
McKenna said, “Cheer loud and believe in yourself because you never know if this could be you one day.”
McKenna and Bear are among a growing list of young elite Indigenous hockey talent. Indigenous players selected in the NHL Entry Draft since 2023:
- Carson Bjarnason (Red River Métis; #51 Overall, 2023; Philadelphia Flyers).
- Carey Terrance (St. Regis Mohawk, Askwesasne; #59 Overall, 2023; Anaheim Ducks).
- Gracyn Sawchyn (Métis; #63 Overall, 2023; Florida Panthers).
- Jayden Perron (Métis; #94 Overall, 2023; Carolina Hurricanes).
- Jayson Shaugabay (White Earth Nation; #115 Overall, 2023; Tampa Bay Lightning).
- Brett Hyland (Métis; #200 Overall, 2023; Washington Capitals).
- Cayden Lindstrom (Driftpile Cree Nation; #4 Overall, 2024; Columbus Blue Jackets).
- Chase Wutzke (Métis; #142 Overall, 2024; Minnesota Wild).
- Dalyn Wakely (Curve Lake First Nation; #192 Overall, 2024; Edmonton Oilers).
- Sam McCue (Odanak First Nation; #216 Overall, 2024; Toronto Maple Leafs).
- Jack Nesbitt (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory; #12 Overall, 2025; Philadelphia Flyers).
- Carter Bear (Peguis First Nation; #13 Overall, 2025; Detroit Red Wings).
- Hayden Paupanekis (Norway House Cree Nation; #69 Overall, 2025; Montreal Canadiens).