The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected forward Gavin McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
“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.”
McKenna, 18, recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games with the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2025-26 season. Prior to joining Penn State, McKenna had registered 244 points (79 goals, 165 assists) in 133 games with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League. In 2024-25, he recorded 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 16 playoff games, helping lead Medicine Hat to a WHL Championship. He was named the 2024-25 CHL Player of the Year after leading the Canadian Hockey League in scoring with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games.
On the international stage, McKenna has represented Canada at numerous events, winning gold medals at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games.
McKenna becomes the third player in Maple Leafs franchise history to be selected first overall by the hockey club, joining Auston Matthews (2016) and Wendel Clark (1985). Originally from Whitehorse, he also becomes the third player from Yukon in NHL history to be selected in the NHL draft, and the second to be taken in the first round.
