The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
McKenna Selected First Overall
McKenna, an 18-year-old centre from Whitehorse, Yukon, was selected by the Maple Leafs with the top pick in the draft held June 26 in Buffalo, N.Y. He is considered one of the most promising prospects in recent years, having dominated the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
In the 2025-26 season, McKenna recorded 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 68 games, leading the WHL in scoring. He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championships, helping the team win a silver medal.
Maple Leafs Secure Future Core
General Manager Brad Treliving expressed excitement about the signing. “Gavin is an exceptional talent with a bright future,” Treliving said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have him under contract and look forward to his development within our organization.”
The entry-level deal is standard for top draft picks and will pay McKenna a base salary of $950,000 per season, with performance bonuses that could push the total value to over $4 million annually. The contract runs through the 2028-29 season.
Immediate Impact Expected
McKenna is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp this fall. If he makes the team, he would become the first player drafted first overall to play for the Maple Leafs since Auston Matthews in 2016. Matthews, who signed a four-year, $53 million contract extension in 2023, has been a cornerstone for Toronto.
The Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, but the addition of McKenna bolsters a young core that includes Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. Fans are hopeful that McKenna’s offensive prowess will help end the championship drought.
Draft Day Highlights
The draft was notable not only for McKenna’s selection but also for the presence of singer Justin Bieber, who announced the pick alongside NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Bieber, a well-known Maple Leafs fan, has been involved in promotional events for the team.
McKenna said he was honored to be drafted by Toronto. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started and help the team win.”
