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Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna calls Toronto ‘greatest market out there’ following draft selection
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Photo credit: Steven Ellis
Michael Coyle
Jun 27, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 26, 2026, 22:07 EDT
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Gavin McKenna is a Toronto Maple Leaf. 
On Friday night, the Maple Leafs selected McKenna with the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, bringing the 18-year-old officially into the organization. Speaking to the media following his selection, McKenna touched on what the moment was like when he heard his name called.
“Special moment for sure,” McKenna said. “This is a dream come true to hug my family, go up on stage, and see Justin Bieber. This isn’t what I imagined when I was a young kid, so it’s so much better, and the fact that it’s here, it’s been so special.”
McKenna is set to join an Original Six franchise that have won 13 Stanley Cups but have been mired in a championship drought since 1967. With a crazed fan base and sky-high expectations, the arrival of McKenna has given many the hope that this Maple Leafs team is trending back towards cup contention. 
“When you go to a fanbase like that, and you do well, it’s the best spot to be. It’s the greatest market out there,” McKenna said. “I’m confident in myself, and I want to do good. So, hopefully the fan base falls in love with me, and it’s a good time.”
After spending two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where the 18-year-old posted 226 points over his final 117 regular-season games, McKenna decided to jump to the NCAA and joined Penn State. 
In 35 games with the Nittany Lions, McKenna recorded 15 goals and a team-leading 51 points. McKenna joined the Canada’s World Junior team and posted 14 points over seven games en route to a bronze medal in Minnesota.
“I think what I’m most proud of this year is just that there were a lot of ups and downs. Both on the ice and off the ice, honestly, to get through that,” McKenna said. “I think I was by myself at a young age in a new city in college, so to get through all of that stuff, I think I’m pretty proud of myself for that.” 
McKenna is set to join a talented Maple Leafs’ forward core that already consists of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Easton Cowan. With McKenna’s play-making ability being touted as a perfect fit to play alongside a scorer like Matthews, McKenna spoke about why he feels the two could be a fit from day one of next year’s regular season.
“Obviously, he’s on the first line, so I’m going to have to prove myself to play with a player like that. But, that’s my goal,” McKenna. “I think he’s a special player. If I got the opportunity to play with him, I’m obviously a playmaker, and he’s a shooter. I think we would complement each other pretty well, but like I said, I need to work towards that.”

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