A New Chapter for Toronto
Gavin McKenna, the 2026 NHL Entry Draft’s first overall pick, is set to join the Toronto Maple Leafs after the franchise announced his signing on Tuesday.
The 20‑year‑old forward arrives after a junior career that began with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he recorded 244 points in 133 games, and later at Penn State, where he became the first Canadian‑trained player to compete in NCAA hockey under a recent rule change.
During his lone season in the Big Ten, McKenna led the conference with 51 points in 35 games, earning Rookie of the Year honors and setting a program record with an eight‑point performance against Ohio State. He also represented Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships, contributing 14 points in seven games.
The Leafs, who failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in a decade last season, responded by parting ways with general manager Brad Treliving and appointing a new coaching staff, a move the front office says will harness McKenna’s scoring and playmaking abilities.
McKenna will slot into a forward core that includes Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies, adding depth to a roster eager to rebound from years of playoff disappointment.