Getty Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images All eyes are on Toronto Maple Leafs newcomer Gavin Mc Kenna this season. The top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is predicted to be the next big offensive star in the league. The 18-year-old set impressive records during his WHL time with the Medicine Hat Tigers, scoring 41 goals and adding 88 assists for a total of 129 points during the 2024-25 season. He also set a record for points streak at 40 games and was named WHL’s Most Valuable Player. Mc Kenna is expected to take a spot on the top line as the No. 1 left winger alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Matthew Schaefer, a standout player for the New York Islanders who was picked first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, shared some advice for his fellow young star as Mc Kenna gets ready to kick off his career. “Just enjoy it,” Schaefer said at the Smilezone Celebrity Golf Tournament in Brampton on Monday. “Obviously, he’s in Toronto, and me growing up in Toronto, obviously Toronto’s known for its hockey and stuff just growing up. Toronto’s always the hot spot for tournaments and things like that. But especially hockey. So it’s going to be awesome for him. “Obviously, he’s a great player,” Schaefer continued. “I’ve got to grow up playing with him. But at the end of the day, he’s a great player. He’s going to do great things. So he’s going to be awesome.”
Matthew Schaefer Shines as Top Rookie During 2025-26 Season
Schaefer fully lived up to expectations as the first overall pick. The 18-year-old recorded 23 goals and 36 assists as a defenseman, making him the youngest defenseman ever to hit 50 points in NHL history. He also tied a rookie record for goals scored and not only won but received unanimous votes for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The Islanders star had previously spoken with Mc Kenna at the draft several weeks ago and expressed similar advice to what he shared now. “I said enjoy it,” Schaefer told Mc Kenna. “Obviously, just being at the draft, don’t get too far ahead of yourself. But at the end of the day, just enjoy it. Enjoy it with your family. You know, thank them for everything. But, you know, just keep working.”Islanders Face Maple Leafs in Season Opener
The Maple Leafs are looking to bounce back after last year’s disappointing performance. Toronto missed out on playoffs for their first time in ten years after finishing with just 78 points-the second-lowest score in Eastern Conference standings-despite having pushed last year’s Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to seven games just one year prior. New general manager John Chayka has made various moves to speed up improvements including signing Stanley Cup-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and acquiring former Tampa Bay Lightning player Darren Raddysh. Mc Kenna is anticipated to play an important role as they aim for contention again. Schaefer’s Islanders will actually start their season against the Maple Leafs right there in Toronto on September 30th. For Toronto, it’ll be their second game of that season after kicking off against Montreal Canadiens just one night earlier. “It’s an early game in Toronto for me,” Schaefer mentioned. “So hopefully a lot of family and stuff like that can come… It’ll be awesome. It’ll be fun.” DJ Siddiqi covers the NFL for Heavy. com, focusing on teams like Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has reported on NFL and NBA events through Forbes, Clutch Points, CBS Sports, 24/7 Sports along with Bleacher Report before joining Heavy. More about DJ SiddiqiSource link
