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Gavin McKenna praises Bryce Pickford after the Canadiens sign defenseman
The Tricolore's new acquisition continues to spark reactions across the hockey world, and for the right reasons.
Earliest this week, the Montreal Canadiens signed Bryce Pickford, and Gavin McKenna immediately reacted to the signing by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
At the World Junior Championship, Team Canada is looking to return to the top during the holiday break. McKenna, the projected favourite to go first overall in 2026, arrives with a big point to prove. He just turned 18 and is already producing at Penn State with 18 points in 16 games.
Before Penn State, McKenna played with the Medicine Hat Tigers. There, he shared the ice with Bryce Pickford, who has just signed a three-year entry-level contract.
Gavin McKenna comments on the signing of Bryce Pickford by the Montreal Canadiens
Pickford did not sign by chance. He is piling up eye-popping numbers and earned this contract. In 31 games in the Western Hockey League, he has 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 points. His 25 goals rank first in the league, and his 44 points place him fourth overall.
The 19-year-old right-shot defenseman is also the captain of the Tigers.
When McKenna was asked about this surge, he kept the same tone he had in the locker room. He said it was no surprise and emphasized Pickford's offensive instinct. He also pointed to his impact last spring, with 13 goals and 25 points in 18 playoff games.
"He's lighting it up. I expected it after last year. I knew he was going to take an even bigger jump this year. He's a special player, that guy. He's just got a thing for putting the puck in the back of the net. And as a defenseman, too.
I think his shots last year in playoffs, you know, he was huge for us. He scored some big goals, and yeah, he's a great player.
That's the type of guy he is. If he doesn't get something, then he's going to make sure he gets it in, you know, the next opportunity. And he's a very hard worker off the ice. He's almost magical."
- Gavin McKenna
I think his shots last year in playoffs, you know, he was huge for us. He scored some big goals, and yeah, he's a great player.
That's the type of guy he is. If he doesn't get something, then he's going to make sure he gets it in, you know, the next opportunity. And he's a very hard worker off the ice. He's almost magical."
- Gavin McKenna
The part that stings is indeed the other news surrounding Pickford. He was not invited to Team Canada Junior's training camp this year.
In short, Canadiens fans will be watching closely, because a 25-goal defenseman never goes unnoticed.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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8 HOURS AGO | 516 ANSWERS Gavin McKenna praises Bryce Pickford after the Canadiens sign defenseman Will Bryce Pickford be a regular defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens within three years? | ||