The “Summerside Sniper”: That's Jeremy McKenna

Monday, 08. September 2025 |

EHC Red Bull Munich: “Who are you?” with Jeremy McKenna – player profile

The “Summerside Sniper”: That's Jeremy McKenna“Who are you?” – the Red Bulls portrait series// PORTRAITIn the tenth episode of “Who are you?”, we introduce you to Jeremy McKenna. Our new signing has already lived up to his nickname in pre-season. The Canadian has also revealed one of his secrets to scoring goals...

Jeremy McKenna is simply picking up where he left off last season with the Nürnberg Ice Tigers. Namely, by scoring goals. After scoring a total of 28 goals for the Franconians last year, the striker has already scored four times for the Red Bulls in seven test games this season. It's already clear to see that the right-handed shooter has a real nose for goal and a hard, accurate shot.

“I want to create chances on offense and get the power play going,” McKenna says of his role on the ice. This has worked well so far, with three of his four goals coming on the power play. “I also try to help my team in all areas so that we can win.”

Love of ice hockey in the open air

McKenna took his first steps on the ice and learned the basics in his hometown of Canmore, outdoors. “I grew up in Canada and played outside a lot. I loved being free and playing until it got dark. That's how I fell in love with the sport,” he says. His father also played ice hockey, so McKenna's path was predetermined in a way.

Episode 10 - “Who are you?” with Jeremy McKenna

// PORTRAIT

At the age of ten, he first really took notice of NHL legend Sidney Crosby. The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins shot Team Canada to Olympic victory in 2010 in overtime in the final against the USA. “I'll never forget Sidney Crosby's golden goal in Vancouver. I watched it at home, it was incredible.” This event probably further strengthened his love of ice hockey.

This is how the “Summerside Sniper” came into being.

Even at a young age, McKenna, who also plays a lot of golf, stood out for his finishing skills. This did not go unnoticed by Canadian sports journalists. During his time with the Moncton Wildcats, where he played from 2016 to 2020 in the QMJHL (Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League), he quickly earned the nickname “Summerside Sniper.” “Craig Eagles and Jerry Green were presenters at Rogers TV in Moncton. At some point, they started calling me Summerside Sniper, after my hometown, where I live in the summer. I guess it worked for them and they loved it,” McKenna explains with a laugh.

As a 16-year-old at the Red Bull Hockey Academy

Before his stint in Moncton, our number 91 was already part of the Red Bull Hockey Academy for a year. So McKenna has come full circle with his return to Munich. Pierre Pagé and Brian Savage, who were in charge at the time, brought him directly from Canada to Salzburg-Liefering in 2015.

McKenna looks back: "It was a great year. I was able to focus on hockey and prepare for the QMJHL. You learn to become the best version of yourself there. Players, coaches, staff, teachers – everyone wants to get to the next level. Not many 16-year-old players get to have that experience. And now to be back with the Red Bulls is really cool," he enthuses.

Ups and downs between the ECHL and AHL

And although McKenna had strong statistics in his youth, he got a taste of the tough business of North American professional hockey when he made the transition. The offensive player moved back and forth between various teams in the minor leagues. “For a player in my position who wasn't drafted, that's normal. But it's definitely difficult when you're constantly going up and down. You work hard to make the team and play in the NHL,” he explains. However, he was not granted a spot in the world's best league.

2:4 | Jeremy McKenna strikes with a two-man advantage

// IN-GAME-VIDEO

He also learned how to deal with criticism back then. Nobody likes to hear criticism, but it's part of the development process. And it's all the more satisfying when you can prove your doubters wrong. “All players who reach this level have to take criticism. Some people think you're not big enough, not strong enough, or not a good enough skater,” McKenna recalls. “It always feels good to silence those people.” And that's what he did.

A special goal, but missing out on the Calder Cup

Because from February 2023 onwards, McKenna really started to make a name for himself. He was called up from the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL) to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL midway through the season. There, he developed into a key player in the playoffs. With six goals and six assists, the forward led his team to the Calder Cup final, where they lost to the Hershey Bears in overtime in the decisive Game 7. A bitter moment.

On the way there, he did at least score one very special goal. In the Pacific Division final series against the Calgary Wranglers, he saved Coachella in game five with a late equalizer in overtime, playing a key role in his team's progress. “I will always remember that goal and the cheers of the crowd. In the end, we won the game,” he reports.

Strong debut season in the PENNY DEL

Despite this, the back-and-forth between the ECHL and AHL continued for the time being. McKenna became dissatisfied and considered a fresh start in another league in the summer of 2024. He ended his time in North America by scoring 21 points for Kansas City in the playoffs, but once again, the team lost in the final series. He narrowly missed out on the Kelly Cup. Then the sporting director of the Nuremberg Ice Tigers from the PENNY DEL got in touch. “I was happy that Stefan Ustorf gave me a chance,” said McKenna.

And the style of play in Germany was a perfect fit. Lots of puck possession, time on offense, space for plays – the 26-year-old settled in right away. “It was just right for me. But now I'm looking forward to the next chapter here in Munich,” he emphasizes.

How to score goals

Given the many points McKenna collects year after year, expectations of him continue to grow. That's how it is in professional sports. “But you should draw confidence from that. I put the most pressure on myself. You always want to get better and improve your numbers every year. That's one of my goals this season,” he reveals.

2:1 | McKenna scores the equalizer

// IN-GAME-VIDEO

A lot of goals would definitely help. And a goal scorer like McKenna naturally thinks a lot about how he can put the puck in the opponent's net even more often. After all, goalies are getting bigger, faster, and better. So what's the best way to score? “I can't reveal all my secrets,” says the Canadian with a laugh. “But the most important thing is deception. You have to keep the goalies guessing about when and where you're going to shoot. Because they're big and cover a lot of the goal.”

But we don't want to pry any further. After all, we want to see him and our boys celebrating often in the future, preferably as early as Friday when the DEL season kicks off against the Kölner Haie. And in his next final series, he should definitely win the title. Although... with his double in the Warrior Cup final, he has at least already given us a preseason trophy.

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