Gavin McKenna scores on own net during World Junior pre-tournament game

Even the most skilled athletes in the world make a gaffe now and then.

During a pre-tournament game in the lead-up to the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, Team Canada forward Gavin McKenna managed to score a goal…on himself.

Late in the first period against Sweden on Saturday night, Canada had possession on a delayed penalty. However, Canada was a little too cute with the puck in their own zone. McKenna, while trying to avoid a Swedish forechecker and collecting a pass, bobbled the puck. Given the direction the Whitehorse, YT native was going, the biscuit kareemed into an empty cage, breaking the ice in the scoreless contest.

It isn’t every day that a highly touted prospect makes a blunder as such, but it shows that, as talented as McKenna is, even some of the best players in the world are human.

McKenna enters this season’s WJC with a lot of weight on his shoulders. Along with the 18-year-old being the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, he’s expected to be a key piece in helping end Canada’s recent run of failure at the tournament. Since winning two straight World Juniors gold medals in 2022 and 2023, the dominant nation has bowed out in the quarterfinals in each of the past two years.

Heading into the Twin Cities next week, Canada is one of the heavy favorites. Not just because of the team being synonymous with winning at the WJC, but also because of the laundry list of talent on the roster. Along with McKenna, San Jose Sharks forward Michael Misa and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone bring a significant scoring punch, with Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders), Calgary Flames blueliner Zayne Parekh and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Keaton Verhoeff leading a solid D-Corps that is hopefully going to keep the other team’s top offensive weapons.

Canada opens up its Group B schedule on Friday night against Czechia.