The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. The announcement was made by Canadian musician Justin Bieber. McKenna, an 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, was chosen after a season with Penn State where he recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 36 games. Prior to his time at Penn State, McKenna played three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, accumulating 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games.
This selection marks the third time in franchise history that the Maple Leafs have held the top pick in the NHL Draft. The previous top selections were winger Wendel Clark in 1985 and centre Auston Matthews in 2016. McKenna expressed his excitement about potentially playing with Matthews, noting their complementary styles. He described himself as a playmaker and Matthews as a shooter, suggesting they could work well together on the ice.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka spoke highly of McKenna, highlighting his unique ability to analyze the game and create offensive opportunities. Chayka noted McKenna’s unconventional path, having not had a skills coach until he was 13, a skating coach until the same age, or gym training until he was 15. McKenna was considered a top prospect for the draft even before the 2025-26 season began.
Fan anticipation and draft day
Anticipation for the draft pick was high among fans, with many gathering at Scotiabank Arena for a watch party. Approximately 3,000 fans attended the event, which featured appearances by Maple Leafs alumni Wendel Clark, Darryl Sittler, and Tomas Kaberle. Fans had opportunities to take photos with the AHL Calder Cup, recently won by the Toronto Marlies, and with the number 12 lottery ball that secured the Maple Leafs the first pick.
One fan, Wilbert Timmermans, travelled from the Netherlands specifically for the event, having made a vow to return to Toronto if the team qualified for the playoffs again. He became a fan during the Maple Leafs’ 2013 playoff run. Timmermans expressed his admiration for McKenna, comparing his unconventional route to the college level to Matthews’ decision to play in Europe before joining the NHL.
When Bieber announced McKenna’s name, the crowd at Scotiabank Arena erupted in cheers. The excitement continued when Matthews appeared on the jumbotron with a video message for McKenna, further energizing the fans. McKenna was ranked as the No. 1 North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking.
McKenna’s path to the NHL
McKenna’s decision to play at the college level with Penn State for his draft year was a strategic move to face more rigorous competition, aiming to better prepare himself for professional hockey. This choice followed dominant campaigns with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he led the Canadian Hockey League in points during the 2024-25 season with 129 points.
The Maple Leafs’ acquisition of the first overall pick came after a challenging 2025-26 season, which saw the team finish in 28th place. Despite having an 8.5 percent chance, the team won the draft lottery on May 5, securing the opportunity to select McKenna. McKenna now joins a team with a talented forward group, including Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. The team will look to rebuild under new head coach Jim Hiller, general manager John Chayka, and senior executive adviser of hockey operations Mats Sundin.
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Source: tsn.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
