Toronto Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna as No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

By Mason Reed — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Gavin McKenna, a left winger from Yukon, was selected as the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The selection was announced by Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber, a notable Maple Leafs fan, who joined NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on stage for the announcement.

McKenna’s selection marks a significant moment for the Maple Leafs, who secured the top pick after winning the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, moving up from the fifth position. This pick is seen as a crucial part of the team’s rebuilding efforts under new general manager John Chayka. The Maple Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and did not make the playoffs for the first time since the arrival of captain Auston Matthews.

Draft Night Atmosphere and Announcement

The atmosphere at KeyBank Center was charged, with a strong presence of Maple Leafs fans in attendance. Chants of “Go Leafs, go!” erupted as Toronto was on the clock for their pick. Justin Bieber, expressing his excitement, looked towards McKenna before declaring him a member of the Maple Leafs. This moment was particularly emotional for McKenna, who had been linked to the Maple Leafs since their lottery win.

The draft proceedings began with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman taking the stage, a moment traditionally met with boos from the crowd. He was joined by Sabres forward Josh Doan and NFL Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. Dawkins acknowledged both Sabres and Maple Leafs fans, leading a cheer of “Let’s go, Buffalo.”

McKenna’s Journey to the Top Pick

McKenna, who is 18 years old, hails from Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital. He has established himself as a prolific scorer throughout his career, both in Canada and the United States. His selection as the top prospect in his age group had been projected for more than two years prior to the draft. He is only the second Indigenous player to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft.

Before making the jump to the NCAA last summer, McKenna combined for 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat. His move to the NCAA was a deliberate choice to challenge himself against older and more physically developed competition. He concluded his freshman season with a strong performance, scoring 32 points in his final 17 outings, and his total of 51 points tied for fourth nationally.

McKenna is the fifth NCAA player to be drafted first overall, and the third in six years, following Michigan defenseman Owen Power’s selection by Buffalo in 2021. He is also the fifth player born in Yukon to be drafted into the NHL, and the highest pick from the territory, surpassing Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens, who went seventh to Buffalo in 2019.

Impact and Future for the Maple Leafs

General manager John Chayka traveled to Whitehorse last month to meet with McKenna and his family, indicating the team’s strong interest. Chayka stated a day before the draft that the team’s staff was unanimous in their choice for the top pick. This marks the first time the Maple Leafs have had the No. 1 selection since drafting Auston Matthews in 2016, a pick that also took place in Buffalo.

While McKenna is accustomed to the spotlight, he now heads to a significantly larger metropolis compared to Whitehorse’s population of approximately 39,000. The top of this draft class is considered to be strong in defensemen but less so in forwards. Following Toronto’s pick, the San Jose Sharks hold the No. 2 pick, followed by Vancouver, Buffalo, and the New York Rangers.

Source: nhl.com

Mason Reed

Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.