Steve Sullivan, the pinnacle coach of the Toronto Marlies, in contrast star prospect Gavin McKenna to Clayton Keller of the Utah Mammoth.
McKenna, the No. 1 general decide within the 2026 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, spent the week practising with the remainder of Toronto’s rookies on the 2026 NHL Prospect Problem.
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Sullivan, who will oversee many of those younger gamers whereas teaching the Marlies this yr, mentioned that he appears similairities between McKenna and Keller, the Mammoth star who is among the greatest American-born hockey gamers on this planet.
Steve Sullivan Compares Gavin McKenna to Clayton Keller
Talking to reporters in Toronto, Sullivan favorably in contrast McKenna to Keller, whom he labored with whereas the 2 have been a part of the Arizona Coyotes group.
“A smaller statured participant (McKenna is 5-foot-11, 170 kilos), their video games are slightly bit totally different; Keller is a bit more of a shooter, Gavin is a bit more of a play maker however model of play and the way they appear on the ice, that was my first impression,” Sullivan mentioned (through NHL.com).
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It is an intriguing comparability from Sullivan, because the 5’10” Keller is a superb participant, and one whom McKenna can clearly take some issues from, as they’re each terrific hockey gamers who’re on the smaller aspect.
Keller was the seventh general decide within the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has performed in 683 regular-season NHL video games, scoring 222 targets and 596 factors alongside the best way, whereas additionally profitable an Olympic Gold Medal with Crew USA on the 2026 Olympic Winter Video games.
Steve Sullivan Praises Gavin McKenna
Talking of McKenna, Sullivan had nothing however reward for the teen, who’s getting ready to start out his NHL profession in just some weeks.
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“His deception, the best way he thinks the sport, he is a step forward of everyone else along with his execution. We’re simply popping out of summer time hockey and we are attempting to implement slightly little bit of construction right now, however he was nonetheless capable of execute when issues are out of construction, when issues are usually not good, he nonetheless finds a technique to make the play in order that’s very spectacular,” Sullivan mentioned.
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