As the junior hockey season in Canada winds down, attention is quickly turning to the Memorial Cup and the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. With league championships decided in both the OHL and WHL, and the QMJHL nearly wrapped up, it’s time to look at some of the standout prospects making waves as the CHL’s top players gather in Rimouski.
Among them are three players turning heads for different reasons: Simon Wang (Oshawa Generals, OHL), Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL), and Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL). Each of them brings a unique skillset and a lot of buzz into the final weeks of the junior season.
Simon Wang – D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
After transferring from Junior A following the NCAA eligibility rule changes, Simon Wang has added size and poise to the Generals’ blue line. In Game 4 of the OHL Final against the London Knights, Wang displayed a well-rounded game despite Oshawa’s eventual loss in the series.
Wang used his long frame and strong skating ability to retrieve pucks quickly and escape pressure with ease. His confident puck handling helped start transitions, and he joined the rush smartly when opportunities opened up. One notable play saw him fire a shot after jumping into the zone, causing chaos in front of the net before hustling back on defense to end the shift.
Defensively, Wang was sound—he broke up cycles, killed plays at net front, and made reliable breakout passes. Though his passes were inconsistent early, once he settled down, his decisions became sharper. While he could’ve been more aggressive, his 13 minutes of ice time were impressive and hint at his upside. With more opportunity and assertiveness, he could develop into a steady two-way defenseman at the next level.
Gavin McKenna – LW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Although McKenna isn’t draft-eligible until 2026, the buzz around him is already deafening. In Game 1 of the WHL Final against Spokane, McKenna was dominant in transition and showcased his elite puck skills and offensive vision.
He notched a highlight-reel assist in the first period, turning a loose puck in his own zone into a dynamic rush chance. With speed changes and slick hands, he beat multiple defenders before threading a pass for the game-winner. Throughout the game, he remained a major threat, controlling 60% of shot share at even strength.
McKenna’s puck control, high-end speed, and creativity stood out. Although he sometimes overhandled and his defensive play still needs polish, his skill ceiling is incredibly high. With added strength and smarter positioning, McKenna could become one of Canada’s most exciting prospects in years.
Caleb Desnoyers – C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Desnoyers has been one of the QMJHL’s standout performers, especially during the playoffs. In Game 3 of the final against Rimouski, he added two power-play assists, showing off his intelligence and playmaking abilities.
While he wasn’t overly dominant at five-on-five, his power-play movement and passing were critical. One assist came from a clever flip pass across the zone; the second was a crisp feed to the slot for a deflection goal. On defense, he stayed tight to his man in the slot and used good stick work to disrupt plays, although he struggled at times with strength in board battles.
Desnoyers’ main challenge in this outing was his pace—he seemed to lack a step at even strength and struggled with loose pucks. Still, his vision, discipline, and special teams performance proved he’s a strong two-way centre with room to grow into a bigger role at the pro level.
With the Memorial Cup around the corner, scouts will be watching closely as these top talents look to cap off their seasons with a national title. Simon Wang has shown that he’s more than just size, Gavin McKenna is flashing superstar potential despite being a year out from draft eligibility, and Caleb Desnoyers continues to rise as a dependable, intelligent centre.
