The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected Penn State winger Gavin McKenna with the first-overall pick.
GAVIN MCKENNA TO TORONTO 🍁
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The @MapleLeafs have selected forward Gavin McKenna first overall in the 2026 #NHLDraft! pic.twitter.com/X5kSJNAMuw
— NHL (@NHL) June 26, 2026
McKenna possesses elite playmaking, vision and hockey IQ that combine to make the most intriguing offensive talent in the draft. He recorded 51 points in 36 games throughout his freshman season and had a spectacular World Junior Championship, where he recorded 14 points in seven games for Canada.
He made the move to the NCAA following the groundbreaking CHL agreement made last year. The transition allowed him to play older and more experienced competition before making the jump to the NHL.
The defensive tools are raw, and his lack of size will make the transition to the NHL difficult, but he has all the ability to become a 100-point player alongside Auston Matthews. The pick marks the first selection of John Chayka’s tenure in Toronto.
McKenna is just the third player selected first overall in the Maple Leafs 108-year history.
