Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna was named Tuesday as winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s rookie of the year.
In the voting, the 16-year-old McKenna edged three other division nominees, including:
- B.C. Division: Terik Parascak of Lethbridge, Alta. (Prince George Cougars)
- East Division: Evan Gardner of Fort St. John (Saskatoon Blades)
- U.S. Division: Julius Miettinen of Helsinki, Finland (Everett Silvertips)
"It is a true honour to win this award," McKenna said. "I want to congratulate Terik, Evan and Julius on your guys' incredible seasons. The future is extremely bright for our league with upcoming players like you guys in it.
“I want to thank all my amazing teammates for being there for me and guiding me through such an amazing and unforgettable year. I want to thank the Tigers coaching staff and everyone in the Tigers organization for everything they do for me behind the scenes and, most importantly, I'd like to thank my family for being my motivation every single day and always being there for me no matter what. I'm extremely honoured and can't wait to get next season started."
McKenna was one of the youngest players on an active roster during the season, turning 16 on December 20, 2023.
The Whitehorse, Yukon standout tallied 34 goals and 63 assists for 97 points in 67 games.
His remarkable run saw him lead the Tigers in goals and points, sit second in scoring among WHL rookies and finish 12th among all WHL skaters.
McKenna also set a franchise record for most points by a 16-year-old, surpassing Al Conroy’s previous marker of 95 points, which was set back in the 1982-83 season.
The 2026 NHL Draft-eligible winger logged a career-high six points (one goal, five assists) against Tri-City on January 6 and had another 14 games where he notched three or more points, including two hat tricks.
He was named WHL Player of the Month for January and WHL Rookie of the Month in February, in addition to a trio of weekly awards.
McKenna, a member of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, became the first junior hockey player to capture the APTN Bryan Trottier Most Valuable Player Award, which is presented to an Indigenous hockey player who demonstrates on-ice excellence and contributes to the Indigenous community.
On the international stage, McKenna set a new record for points by a Canadian (20) with 10 goals and 10 assists in seven games en route to a gold-medal finish with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland.
McKenna is the fourth Medicine Hat Tigers player to earn the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year, and the first to do so since 1986.
The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the player whose performance in their first season is deemed to be the most outstanding among all rookies.
A former owner of the Saskatoon Blades, Jim Piggott was a driving force in the formation of the Western Canadian Hockey League, now known as the WHL.
Along with Del Wilson, Piggott played a critical role in the amalgamation of the three Major Junior leagues across Canada into what is now known as the Canadian Hockey League.
Winners of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (since 2003)
- 2023-24: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
- 2022-23: Ryder Ritchie, Prince Albert Raiders
- 2021-22: Brayden Yager, Moose Jaw Warriors*
- 2020-21: Connor Bedard, Regina Pats
- 2019-20: Dylan Guenther, Edmonton Oil Kings
- 2018-19: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
- 2017-18: Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes
- 2016-17: Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos
- 2015-16: Matthew Phillips, Victoria Royals
- 2014-15: Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings
- 2013-14: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
- 2012-13: Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks
- 2011-12: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay ICE
- 2010-11: Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels
- 2009-10: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels
- 2008-09: Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars*
- 2007-08: Brayden Schenn, Brandon Wheat Kings
- 2006-07: Kyle Beach, Everett Silvertips
- 2005-06: Peter Mueller, Everett Silvertips
- 2004-05: Tyler Plante, Brandon Wheat Kings
- 2003-04: Gilbert Brule, Vancouver Giants
- 2002-03: Matt Ellison, Red Deer Rebels*
* – also selected as Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year
