Fans go wild at a watch party at Scotiabank Arena as the Toronto Maple Leafs pick Gavin Mc Kenna with the first overall selection in the NHL Draft.
Gavin Mc Kenna will keep wearing blue and white.
The Toronto Maple Leafs chose the talented winger from Whitehorse with the No. 1 pick during the 2026 NHL draft on Friday night. The announcement was made by Canadian pop star and Maple Leafs supporter Justin Bieber.
Gavin Mc Kenna Gary Bettman Justin Bieber Gavin Mc Kenna, center, stands alongside NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, and singer Justin Bieber, right, after being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL hockey draft on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, N. Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Mc Kenna just finished his freshman season at Penn State where he scored 15 goals and had 36 assists for a total of 51 points in 35 NCAA games after two outstanding seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
At just 18 years old, he joins an Original Six franchise that faced a rough time last season after starting with hopes of winning the Stanley Cup before it all fell apart dramatically.
Toronto has a new head coach and general manager after finishing in 28th place but received a lucky break when they won the draft lottery despite having only an 8.5 percent chance.
“Gavin is an exceptional young man with tremendous talent and character,” said general manager John Chayka. “Throughout this process, we had the opportunity to get to know him and his family, and each interaction strengthened our belief in him as both a player and a person. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Even though last season was tough for the Maple Leafs, they still have a strong forward lineup led by captain Auston Matthews – who was also picked No. 1 overall in this same venue ten years ago – along with William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies supporting him.
Sharks, Canucks, Flames Make Their Picks
The San Jose Sharks selected Ivar Stenberg second overall at Key Bank Center.
Stenberg recorded 11 goals and added 22 assists for a total of 33 points across 43 games playing for Frolunda in Sweden’s top league during the 2025-26 season. The talented player helped Sweden secure its third world junior hockey championship by scoring ten points in seven games back in January.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks picked Caleb Malhotra with their third selection.
Caleb is the son of former NHL player Manny Malhotra who is now coaching Vancouver Canucks; he scored an impressive total of 84 points (29 goals and 55 assists) over his past season playing for Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs.
This six-foot-two centre from Toronto also contributed another 13 goals along with13 assists totaling up to26 points over15 playoff matches.
Manny himself was drafted seventh overall by the Rangers back at Buffalo’s1998 draft.
The Calgary Flames grabbed Carson Carels at No.6; this defenceman from Cypress River put up73points(20goalsand53assists)in58gamesthisseasonwiththe WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
This six-foot-one blueliner who’s going to play next season at North Dakota just turned18on Tuesday; he addedonegoalandnineassistsfor26pointsin10playoffgamesafteralsoplayingfor Canada’sbronze-medalteamattheworldjuniorchampionships.
Maple Leafs Aim to Rebuild
With their long-standing Stanley Cup drought stretching back to1967, the Maple Leafsand Mc Kennawillnowlooktorebuildundernewheadcoach Jim Hiller, Gm John Chayka, and Mats Sundin, alegendofthisfranchisenowactingasasenioradviserinhockeyoperations. p >
Toronto made its third-ever top selection duringa draft after choosing Wendel Clarkin1985and Matthewsin2016. p >
Mc Kennathehighest-ranked North Americanskateraccordingto NHLCentral Scouting, cameontothehockeyscenerightbackin2022atage14withafour-assistdebutinthe WHL. p >
Thisyoungstarcontinuedregistering34goalsand97pointsduringthefollowingseasonbeforeleadingthe Canadian Hockey Leaguewithastaggering129points(41goalsand88assists)in2024-25. p >
Standingfivefootelevenandweighing170 pounds，Mc Kennacouldhaveplayedmajormajorjunorthisdraftyear, buthesettledforthe U. S. collegerouteintendingtofacehardercompetitiontobetterpreparehimselfforprolevels. p >
Afterinitiallyadjustingtotheicewhilewearing Penn State’sblueandwhiteuniform，anincidentfrom Februarywhereallegedlyhebrokesomeone’sjawcouldhaveputahalttohisseason. p >
However, themostseriouschargeofaggravatedassaultwaslaterdroppedby Pennsylvania prosecutors. Mckennawho wasnotsuspendedby Penn Statehasnotpubliclysharedhisstoryyetstillfaceschargesofmisdemeanoursimpleassaultalongwithharassmentanddisorderlyconduct. P >
This report by The Canadian Press was first June26，2026.
Joshua Clipperton，The Canadian Press
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