Jeremy McKenna knows there’s more than one route to the NHL

Summerside native could be drafted in this weekend draft in Vancouver

Summerside's Jeremy McKenna and his Moncton Wildcats teammates made their first trip of the 2018-19 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season to Charlottetown to play the Islanders on Nov. 8.

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Jeremy McKenna knows he will be going to an NHL team’s development camp next week, but exactly which team remains up in the air.

The 20-year-old Summerside native has been invited to the Dallas Stars camp that begins on Monday, but he could hear his name called this weekend in Vancouver during the NHL draft. If that happens, the Moncton Wildcats right-winger will be off to camp with his new team.

“I’ve dreamt of playing in the NHL my whole life, and it’s something I know is going happen, whether it’s through the draft or not,” McKenna said. “I know it’s an opportunity to get to an NHL team this weekend and if it doesn't happen, I’ll find another way.”

McKenna went through the draft a year ago and then attended the Arizona Coyotes camp.

He said being passed over by the 31 NHL teams after a 36-goal, 77-point season left a sour taste in his mouth. He used it as motivation and produced 45 goals and 97 points in 68 games this season while adding five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 11 playoff games.

“I’m excited to see what happens this week,” McKenna said. “I’ve had some good talks with teams and good meetings. . . I have a pretty good feeling about it, but I am trying to prepare for everything.”

The five-foot-10, 174-pound right-winger has been busy training with Kris MacPhee at Synergy Fitness and Nutrition in Charlottetown and said he feels like a million bucks.

“I feel great right now . . . I’m as ready as I’ve ever been,” he said. “I feel like I’ve worked really hard and left no stone unturned. It’s been a couple of months of training since after the season and I am ready for whatever happens.”

Related links:

• Central Scouting rankings

• Players deal with different routine during first school day game in QMJHL history

• Month to remember for Moncton Wildcats forward Jeremy McKenna

• McKenna’s simple approach paying off

• McKenna steps up his game in second QMJHL season in Moncton

Need to know

Jeremy McKenna

Who – A Summerside native eligible for this weekend’s NHL draft. He plays for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Age/position – McKenna is a 20-year-old right winger.

Statistics

Season GP G A Pts.