The Toronto Maple Leafs officially selected Canadian winger Gavin McKenna as the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The announcement, made on Friday night, marks a significant moment for the 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, who has been a prominent prospect for several years.
McKenna, who played for Penn State in the NCAA during the 2025-26 season, recorded points in games. His journey to the top draft spot has been described as unconventional, beginning with his move from his hometown to the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C.
During his time at the RINK Academy, McKenna accumulated 65 points in 35 games. He later added 75 points in 26 games at the South Alberta Hockey Academy before joining the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a 14-year-old. With the Tigers, he amassed 244 points in 133 games, led the team to a championship, and became the third-youngest player to be named CHL Player of the Year, joining Sidney Crosby and future Maple Leafs teammate John Tavares.
A notable shift in his career occurred in November 2024 when the NCAA Division I Council made CHL players eligible for college hockey. McKenna chose to play for Penn State. His freshman season saw a period of adjustment, with 16 points in his first 16 games. However, he regained his dominant form in the latter half of the season, scoring 31 points in his final 16 games, including an eight-point performance against Ohio State in February.
Maple Leafs’ additional draft selections
Beyond their first-overall pick, the Maple Leafs made several other selections across various rounds of the draft.
In the second round, at 60th overall, Toronto drafted defenceman Alexander Bilecki from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Bilecki, a Mississauga, Ont. native, contributed points in games during the 2025-26 season, and won an OHL title and Memorial Cup with the Rangers.
The third round saw the Maple Leafs make four selections. At 69th overall, they picked defenceman Ethan MacKenzie from the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), who recorded goals and assists for points in 59 games. MacKenzie earned a spot on Canada’s world junior team and is set to play NCAA hockey at North Dakota next season.
The 73rd overall pick was right wing Zach Olsen from the Saskatoon Blades (WHL), who registered goals and assists for points in 57 games after switching positions. Olsen also played for Canada at the world under-18 championship. At 76th overall, the club selected defenceman Måns Gudmundsson from Färjestad BK (Swedish junior), who had goals and assists for points in 35 games.
The third round concluded with the 85th overall pick, goaltender Juuso Ainasto from Jokerit (Finnish junior). Ainasto had an 8-3-0 record with a 1.74 GAA and a .938 save percentage in U18 play, and a 6-7-0 record with a 3.28 GAA and an .892 save percentage in U20. This selection was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers involving Joseph Woll.
In the fourth round, the Maple Leafs continued to bolster their goaltending by selecting Patriks Plumins at 114th overall. Plumins, from Zemgale in the Latvian league, posted a 1.50 GAA and a .947 save percentage in 16 games. He also performed well at the world under-18 championship, helping Latvia defeat the U.S.
Later round picks and player backgrounds
The fifth round saw the Maple Leafs select centre Cooper Williams at 158th overall. Williams, from the Saskatoon Blades (WHL), recorded goals and assists for points in 35 games. He also played for Canada’s under-18 team at last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup and is committed to North Dakota.
The sixth round included two more picks for Toronto. At 161st overall, defenceman Yaroslav Fedoseyev from Chelyabinsk (Russian MHL and VHL) was chosen, after the Maple Leafs traded a 2027 pick to the Canucks for the selection. Fedoseyev had goals and assists for points in 49 games and is expected to play in the KHL next year.
Finally, at 169th overall, right wing Brody Pepoy from the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) was drafted. The American winger, who previously played for a Pittsburgh under-16 team, registered goals and assists for points in 67 games in his first OHL season, playing a checking role.
Following his draft selection, Gavin McKenna made a ceremonial first pitch at a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre, which he described as a “tough throw.”
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Source: sportsnet.ca
