Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna first overall in NHL draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 3:37 AM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna, a left winger from Penn State, with the first overall pick in the NHL draft held on June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, New York. McKenna, a highly regarded prospect from Whitehorse, Yukon, was validated as the top choice amid cheers from Maple Leafs fans and a special appearance by Justin Bieber. This selection marks a significant step in the Maple Leafs’ rebuilding process after finishing last in the Atlantic Division the previous season. Following McKenna, forwards dominated the early picks, with Ivar Stenberg going second to San Jose, and Caleb Malhotra, the coach’s son, taken by Vancouver third overall.
- •Gavin McKenna is from Whitehorse, Yukon.
- •The draft was held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
- •McKenna scored 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games.
- •Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division last season.
- •Caleb Malhotra was drafted by Vancouver with the third pick.
- 3:37 AMYahoo Sports — Maple Leafs select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick in NHL draft
"Buffalo selected Prince Albert blue-liner Daxon Rudolph at No. 4, followed Latvia’s Alberts Smits going fifth to the Rangers.
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