Mckenna Van Gelder is currently on the sidelines of the Maple Leafs Hockey School, guiding a new generation of players as she edges closer to her professional debut in the Premier Women's Hockey League.
From Backyard Rinks to Cornell's ECAC
Growing up in Ontario, she spent her early years skating with boys before joining the Etobicoke Dolphins girls' program, a move that set the stage for her eventual commitment to Cornell University.
At Cornell, Van Gelder evolved into one of the ECAC's most reliable two‑way forwards, a transformation she attributes to the university's rigorous academic and athletic environment.
Every summer since her freshman year, she returns to the Maple Leafs Hockey School, not only to give back but also to watch the confidence of young players blossom as they discover the joy of the game.
Preparing for the Physical Leap
Transitioning to the professional ranks means a new level of intensity; Van Gelder is focusing on strength training and skating efficiency to meet the PWHL's demanding standards.
She is excited by the league's consistent physicality and the opportunity to test herself against the best female talent, while also looking forward to the warm California climate and the enthusiastic support of San Jose fans.
Having familiar faces in the draft room — namely Reichen Kirchmaier and Rory Guilday — adds a personal dimension to her anticipation, reinforcing a sense of camaraderie within the new team.
Van Gelder emphasizes that the culture of hard work and community she experienced at Cornell will shape her approach in San Jose, where she hopes to inspire the next wave of female hockey players.