Gavin McKenna Selected First Overall in NHL Draft by Toronto Maple Leafs

Gavin McKenna, an 18-year-old forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League draft on Friday. The selection, announced at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber alongside NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, marked the first time a player from Yukon has been chosen with the top pick in the NHL draft. McKenna is also the first Indigenous player to be drafted first overall since Dale McCourt in 1977, as a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation.

The draft event saw a significant turnout of Maple Leafs fans and high anticipation, with a "Go Leafs, Go!" chant breaking out as Toronto went on the clock. The moment was celebrated in Yukon, with community members gathering at Whitehorse’s Takhini Arena to watch the proceedings live. Dan Johnson, president of Hockey Yukon, described it as a special time for hockey in the territory, noting that McKenna’s achievement has captured the imagination of local youth and inspired belief that reaching the NHL is possible for players from the region. McKenna joins a list of Yukon-born NHL draftees that includes Dylan Cozens, who was selected seventh overall in 2019, but McKenna’s number one selection represents a new milestone for the area.

McKenna’s hockey development followed an unconventional path. Growing up in Whitehorse, he spent much of his youth outdoors and did not have access to a skills coach or skating coach until age 13, and did not begin gym training until age 15. Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka, who visited McKenna’s hometown prior to the draft, emphasized this aspect, describing McKenna’s story as a Canadian one rooted in love and passion for the game. Chayka stated that the team’s staff was unanimous in their decision to select McKenna, viewing him as a central figure in Toronto’s rebuilding efforts following a last-place finish in the Atlantic Division and missing the playoffs for the first time since Auston Matthews’ arrival in 2016.

McKenna’s on-ice record is notable for both its early prominence and sustained excellence. He first attracted attention at age 14, debuting for the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers with a four-assist game. Over three years with Medicine Hat, he tallied 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games, culminating in a league-leading 129-point season in 2024-25, comprised of 41 goals and 88 assists. Analysts and NHL Central Scouting ranked McKenna as the top North American skater in his draft class.

Seeking greater challenges, McKenna opted to join Penn State in the NCAA, foregoing a return to the WHL. The NCAA route, which features older and more physically developed competition, offered a different developmental environment. During his freshman season, McKenna recorded 51 points—15 goals and 36 assists—in 35 games, including 32 points in his final 17 outings, tying him for fourth in the nation. He thus became the fifth NCAA player to be drafted first overall and the third in six years, a trend that began with Owen Power’s selection by Buffalo in 2021.

McKenna’s transition to U.S. college hockey also brought commercial opportunities; he reportedly received $700,000 through revenue-sharing and name, image, and likeness (NIL) arrangements, though the precise figures and sources remain unconfirmed.

Internationally, McKenna contributed to Canada’s bronze-medal performance at the world junior hockey championship this year. However, his season included off-ice challenges; in February, he was involved in an on-campus altercation at Penn State that resulted in a man’s jaw being broken. The most serious charge—aggravated assault—was dropped by prosecutors, but McKenna still faces charges of simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. He was not suspended by the team and has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. Additionally, his mother, Krystal, faces charges related to allegedly supplying alcohol to minors.

Reflecting on the year, McKenna described it as one with "a lot of ups and downs," stating his focus was to block out distractions and remain positive. According to his former Whitehorse Mustangs coach Mike Tuton, McKenna’s dedication and work ethic have been distinguishing traits since his earliest years in minor hockey. Tuton recalled that, even as an eight-year-old playing with older teammates, McKenna stood out both in skill and discipline.

Toronto’s selection of McKenna comes at a pivotal moment for the team, which is undergoing changes under Chayka’s leadership. The pick took place in the same arena where the Maple Leafs last drafted first overall, selecting Auston Matthews, who now captains the team and holds its record for most goals in a season. McKenna cited Matthews and the Leafs’ passionate fan base as factors that excite him about joining the club. He characterized his playing style as that of a playmaker and suggested he would complement a shooter, expressing confidence in his ability to handle the pressures of playing in a large market.

The broader draft context featured a class regarded as deep in defencemen but lighter on forwards. Following Toronto’s selection, the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers held the next four picks.

McKenna’s arrival in Toronto represents a move from Whitehorse, a city of approximately 39,000, to Canada’s largest urban centre. The transition is expected to bring increased scrutiny and expectations as he joins a team seeking to reestablish itself as a Stanley Cup contender. For Yukon and its hockey community, McKenna’s achievement is seen as a landmark, potentially influencing a new generation of players in the territory.