Mc Kenna is the second player from Canada’s Yukon Territory to be selected in the first round of the draft, following Dylan Cozens, who was taken by the Sabres with the No. 7 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Mc Kenna joins a skilled group of forwards that includes Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares.
“Gavin is an exceptional young man with tremendous talent and character,” Toronto general manager John Chayka said. “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.”
Rounds 2-7 of the draft take place Saturday (11 a. m. ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN).
Before joining Penn State, Mc Kenna dominated the Western Hockey League for parts of three seasons with Medicine Hat, even winning Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.
Mc Kenna was among 175 players making the transition from CHL to NCAA this season.
He tallied 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games for bronze medal-winning Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship before adding 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in his last 19 games at Penn State. The left-handed shooter was ranked No. 1 in Central Scouting’s final list of North American skaters and set or tied nine school records while being the only unanimous choice for the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Ivar Stenberg, a left wing from Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, was selected No. 2 by the Sharks-marking the first time since 2007 that two wings went Nos. 1-2 in the draft (Patrick Kane at No. 1 with Chicago Blackhawks; James van Riemsdyk at No. 2 with Philadelphia Flyers).
Stenberg is looking forward to one day playing alongside Celebrini.
“That would be sick,” he said. “He’s one of the best in the world, so it’d be unreal to play on the same team as him. If I play on a line with him, it would be great.”
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