SUMMERSIDE – A month of ups and downs for Jeremy McKenna continued with some exciting news last week.
The 19-year-old son of Mark and Sara McKenna of Summerside received an invitation to participate in the Arizona Coyotes’ rookie camp the first week of September.
“It will be a couple of days and on the weekend it’s a rookie tournament showcase in Las Vegas against all the teams in the division, Vegas, L.A., San Jose,” explained McKenna in an interview with the Journal Pioneer.
McKenna, a high-scoring right-winger, has played the last two years with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. After going undrafted in his first year of eligibility for the National Hockey League Entry Draft in 2017, McKenna put in a lot of hard work in the gym last summer. The results paid off with a 51-point improvement with the Wildcats, and interest from NHL teams for the 2018 draft. But McKenna, coming off a 77-point season, which included 36 goals in 68 regular-season games, went undrafted for the second straight year.
However, although the Coyotes didn’t draft him, they invited him to the team’s recent five-day development camp at the team’s home arena in Glendale.
“I had a great experience,” reflected McKenna. “I got to experience the pro hockey life.
“I really enjoyed my time, I got to meet lots of new people and they (Coyotes) had all their staff there and were helping out a lot. It was a great camp and getting to see that and play there was a dream come true.”
Saw potential
The Coyotes obviously saw potential in McKenna to bring him back for rookie camp.
“They are showing lots of confidence in me by bringing me back,” said McKenna. “That makes me feel good about my game.
“I’m just going to go there and try and do the things I do, and see what happens.”
When asked if he received any feedback from the Coyotes about his performance at the development camp, McKenna answered: “They said they liked what they saw, they were impressed and are bringing me back for another good look at the rookie camp and showcase. I’m excited about it, and ready to jump at the opportunity.”
Has McKenna set any goals for the rookie camp?
“My main goal is to go there and get an NHL contract,” he answered. “That’s going to be my goal this season.
“I just want to go there, work as hard as I can and show them my strengths and why I believe I can play in the NHL.”
Although he’s had to deal with his share of disappointments over the last year, a big part of McKenna’s story is how he combined hard work, perseverance and refusing to give up on his dream.
“It’s a good lesson,” admitted McKenna. “I’m sitting in the same position any of the draft picks are in now (going to a rookie camp).
“It’s something I have worked hard for, and it just shows if you work hard good things will happen.”
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