McKenna selected No. 1 by Maple Leafs in 2026 NHL Draft

Key Points:

• Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old left wing from Whitehorse, Yukon, was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Draft, becoming the fifth NCAA player to be chosen No. 1 in draft history.
• McKenna, who had a standout season at Penn State with 51 points in 35 games and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist, wore a suit honoring his Indigenous Canadian roots and shared an emotional moment with his family after the announcement.
• Pop superstar Justin Bieber announced McKenna's selection at the Buffalo Sabres' arena, where Auston Matthews was previously drafted No. 1 in 2016; Matthews also congratulated McKenna via video message.
• The draft featured notable picks including Ivar Stenberg (No. 2, Sharks), Caleb Malhotra (No. 3, Canucks), and Daxon Rudolph (No. 4, Sabres), with several historical moments such as the first time two wings were selected first and second overall since 2007.
• A record seven Sweden-born players were selected in the first round, and Alberts Smits became the highest Latvia-born player ever drafted at No. 5 by the New York Rangers, also winning the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence.