Eli McKamey Embracing Fresh Start With Tri-City Americans

After a difficult rookie season in the WHL, the former Victoria Royals forward is making the most of a new opportunity with the Americans.

Eli McKamey was once regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in his age group, with some even labeling him a generational talent behind Landon DuPont. Now entering his second WHL season, McKamey is looking to show why he generated so much excitement in the first place, this time with the Tri-City Americans.

McKamey’s path to the WHL has been anything but straightforward since being selected in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

Once viewed as a potential top selection, McKamey ultimately fell to the second round amid uncertainty surrounding the lack of a CHL-NCAA agreement at the time, as he hoped to preserve the opportunity to play NCAA hockey. He was eventually selected by his hometown club, the Victoria Royals.

His rookie season brought another set of challenges, beginning with a significant lower-body injury suffered while playing for the Penticton Vees during the 2024-25 BCHL playoffs, before he joined the Royals.

McKamey also made history as the first player in BCHL history to be granted exceptional status, allowing him to play for Penticton at just 15 years old.

The injury sidelined him for approximately six months, costing him much of the summer training period and the beginning of his first WHL season. When he finally returned to the ice, McKamey had to adjust to the league while trying to find his footing in Victoria, where consistent opportunities proved difficult to come by.

Now, after a challenging introduction to major junior hockey, McKamey has a fresh start and a chance to take on a larger role.

A Surprise Trade and a New Opportunity

Just before the start of training camp for the 2026-27 season, McKamey was dealt away from his hometown club in a blockbuster trade that sent him to Tri-City in exchange for Savin Virk, with draft picks also included in the deal.

The move came as a surprise, but McKamey quickly recognized the opportunity that awaited him with the Americans.

“Didn’t expect it. Kind of just came about right before I was gonna head to training camp in Victoria. Obviously they were going after Virk, it was an opportunity for me to come here,” McKamey said.

“You know, I knew that coming here I would have a little bit more opportunity to show myself. That was the biggest thing for me this year which is to be on a team where I can really show what I got. But you know, it caught me by surprise, but glad it all happened.”

Leaving Victoria meant moving away from a familiar environment, but McKamey said the transition to Tri-City has been a positive one.

“It’s been really good, obviously a big change for me. Victoria is basically my hometown, or really close to it. I love it here, everyone’s been very supportive and accommodating. It’s a great spot, great staff, great guys. I love the town too so it’s pretty smooth.”

With a new team, a supportive environment and an opportunity to showcase his abilities, McKamey is embracing the change and looking to make the most of his second season.

A Full Offseason to Get Back on Track

Looking back at his rookie campaign, McKamey’s injury played a significant role in shaping his first year in the WHL.

Suffering the injury during Penticton’s playoff run in May, he did not return to the ice until late October. The lengthy recovery left him without a full summer of training and forced him to miss the opening month of the WHL season, making an already difficult transition even more challenging.

“Yeah in the playoffs with Penticton, had a lower body injury. It was a real long recovery and it you know happened in May, but I wasn’t back till right at the end of October. So pretty much six months,” McKamey said.

“It’s tough missing a whole summer of training and working out all the stuff. It’s definitely tough, and then missing the first month of the season and trying to step right into it. I’m proud of myself from coming back from the injury though.”

This time around, McKamey has had the benefit of a full offseason to work on his game and prepare for the demands of a new WHL season.

While the extended time away from hockey last year was far from ideal, having a full summer to train has given him a better foundation heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

“This summer I am not glad I had a long off season, but I did have a long offseason. So I got a lot of time to put in work on and off the ice, and just excited to show what I got this year.”

For a player who spent much of his rookie season recovering and trying to catch up, that extra preparation could make a significant difference as he looks to establish himself as a consistent offensive contributor in Tri-City.

Bringing Offense, Energy and a Winning Mentality

For Americans fans still getting familiar with their new forward, McKamey believes he can contribute in several ways, particularly through his offensive creativity and energy away from the puck.

“Lots of chances, I think I am a guy who can create a lot of offense for us, whether that’s passing or shooting. I also think I bring the energy on the forecheck, finishing checks, and I am just here to win. Obviously, personal success is important. But personal success doesn’t come if you’re not winning.”

That team-first mindset has accompanied an encouraging start to his Tri-City tenure.

Through his first six games, McKamey has been producing at nearly a point-per-game pace, recording five points over his last three contests. His recent production offers an early glimpse of the offensive potential that made him such an intriguing prospect before his WHL career began.

For McKamey, the key has been staying aggressive, putting pucks on net and trusting that the results will follow.

“I like I said just try to play hard and shoot tons of pucks, and getting lots of shots every day. I think the first couple of games it kind of just happens, sometimes bounces don’t go your way. But also I feel like the last couple of games as a team, we’ve been generating more too.”

As the Americans have generated more offensive opportunities as a team, McKamey has begun to find his rhythm and turn those chances into production.

Turning Potential Into Production

McKamey finished his rookie season with 17 points in 48 games, a modest total for a player who entered major junior hockey with considerable expectations.

However, his early-season numbers suggest he is well-positioned to improve on that production. While six games are only a small sample, his recent run of five points in three contests is an encouraging sign of what he could bring to the Americans over a full season.

With his injury behind him, a full offseason of preparation under his belt and a new opportunity in Tri-City, McKamey has several factors working in his favor as he looks to take the next step in his development.

The talent that once generated so much excitement remains an important part of his story. Now, the challenge is turning that potential into consistent production and establishing himself as a key contributor for the Americans.

After a difficult rookie season in Victoria, McKamey appears to be settling into his new surroundings and finding his game. If his early-season momentum continues, Tri-City could be getting a much clearer look at the player many believed he could become.