Top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna has expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of being selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the upcoming draft. The 18-year-old forward shared his thoughts during an intermission segment on TSN at the Memorial Cup in Kelowna on Wednesday night.
McKenna's Comments on Joining the Leafs
Speaking with TSN's Laura Diakun, Jeff O'Neill, and Craig Button, McKenna said it would "be cool" to hear his name called by the Leafs on June 26 in Buffalo. "It's the biggest hockey market in the world," McKenna stated. "I'd be very honoured. I hear good things about Toronto and I've talked to some people and it sounds like an amazing place, so that would be cool."
Scouting Combine Ahead
Leafs general manager John Chayka and other NHL GMs will get a closer look at McKenna and the 2026 draft class at the scouting combine in Buffalo, starting Sunday. McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, is confident he can make an immediate impact in the NHL. "I think I can bring some excitement," he said. "I'm a pretty offensive player and pretty smart, who can make plays and make players around me better. I'm confident in my abilities and I'm excited to hopefully make that jump to start next season."
College Experience
In what is expected to be his only NCAA season, McKenna recorded 15 goals and 36 assists in 35 games for Penn State in 2025-26, following three seasons with Medicine Hat in the WHL. He explained why the college route was beneficial: "Guys are heavy, harder, faster, older, so it's pretty defensive. It's hard to create. I thought it was the right move for me. Getting the puck back, they're heavier on their sticks. I'm not the biggest guy, so I think spending time in the gym helped me. In the NHL, guys are big boys, so learning that early on, I think that will help me prepare for the next jump easier. It was a fun ride with Penn State and I'll remember that place forever."
