McKenna is the second player from Canada’s Yukon Territory to be chosen in the first round of the draft, following Dylan Cozens, who was selected by the Sabres with the No. 7 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.
McKenna joins a talented forward group that includes Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies and John Tavares.
“Gavin is an exceptional young man with tremendous talent and character,” Toronto general manager John Chayka said. “Throughout this process, we had the opportunity to get to know him and his family, and each interaction strengthened our belief in him as both a player and a person. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Rounds 2-7 of the draft are here Saturday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN).
Prior to enrolling at Penn State, McKenna torched the Western Hockey League for parts of three seasons with Medicine Hat, including winning Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.
McKenna was the most prominent of 175 players who made the jump from the CHL to the NCAA this season.
McKenna had 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games for bronze medal-winning Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship before scoring 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in his final 19 games at Penn State. The left-handed shot, who was No. 1 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters, set or tied nine school records and was the only unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Ivar Stenberg, a left wing with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, was picked No. 2 by the Sharks, marking the first time since 2007 that two wings were chosen Nos. 1-2 in the draft (Patrick Kane, No. 1, Chicago Blackhawks; James van Riemsdyk, No. 2, Philadelphia Flyers).
Stenberg is excited to one day play alongside Celebrini.
“That would be sick,” he said. “He’s one of the best in the world, so it’d be unreal to play on the same team as him. If I play on a line with him, it would be great.”
