Maple Leafs make forward Gavin McKenna first pick of NHL draft
- On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Penn State winger Gavin McKenna first overall in the NHL Entry Draft, validating the 18-year-old Whitehorse-born prospect's status as the consensus top talent.
- Toronto secured the top selection after winning the draft lottery with 8.5 per cent odds despite a 28th-place finish, providing general manager John Chayka a foundational piece for his rebuild.
- Setting a freshman points record with 51 points in 35 games at Penn State, McKenna drew comparisons to Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov for his elite vision and playmaking ability.
- Pop icon Justin Bieber announced the selection on stage, with McKenna saying, "The child in me is ecstatic," as he joins captain Auston Matthews, whom he called a "special player."
- Under new coach Jim Hiller, McKenna is expected to join the NHL lineup this fall to boost Toronto's attack following a disastrous 2025-26 season that saw the team miss the playoffs.
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Justin Bieber Makes Surprise Appearance at NHL Draft to Announce First Pick
"The child in me is ecstatic right now," Bieber said before announcing the pick chosen by his home team, the Toronto Maple LeafsJustin Bieber of Canada looks on during day one of the 2026 NHL DraftCredit: Bruce Bennett/GettNEED TO KNOWJustin Bieber announced the number one overall pick at the NHL draft on Friday, June 26Bieber's surprise appearance was in support of his home team, the Toronto Maple Leafs"The child in me is ecstatic right now," B…
The talented Whitehorse winger has scored 51 points in 35 games with the University of Penn State in NCAA last year.
The ‘amazing story’ of Gavin McKenna, the 18-year-old Yukon hockey phenom who joins the Toronto Maple Leafs
Growing up in Whitehorse, McKenna was “a pretty normal kid,” says former coach Mike Tuton. But when it came to hockey, he showed an “unmatchable” work ethic. “He's been very hungry for this since a very young age.”
Toronto Maple Leafs select Penn State star Gavin McKenna first overall in 2026 NHL Draft
The 2026 NHL Draft got underway on Friday night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo — home of the Buffalo Sabres — and while drafts usually provide their share of surprises, the first overall pick was not one.The Toronto Maple Leafs "earned" the top pick after an abysmal 2025-26 campaign, and they used it to select Penn State star Gavin McKenna.The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, has been the presumptive top dog in the 2026 NHL Draft class for year…
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