The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the NHL draft on Friday night, making him only the second Indigenous player ever chosen first overall. The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, was announced by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, a longtime Leafs fan, who joined NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on stage.
Historic Draft Night in Buffalo
The draft took place in Buffalo, the same arena where Toronto last had the No. 1 pick in 2016, selecting captain Auston Matthews. A large contingent of Maple Leafs fans in blue and white jerseys chanted “Go Leafs, go!” as Toronto went on the clock. Bieber, saying “the child in me is ecstatic,” paused dramatically before declaring McKenna a Maple Leaf.
McKenna, a left winger, has been a prolific scorer on both sides of the border and was considered the top prospect in his age group for over two years. He splashed onto the scene with 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers before moving to the NCAA last summer. There, he finished his freshman season with 32 points in his final 17 games, totaling 51 points to tie for fourth in the nation. He became just the fifth NCAA player to go first overall, and the third in six years since Michigan defenseman Owen Power went No. 1 in 2021.
Indigenous Representation and Yukon Roots
McKenna is from Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, a city of about 39,000 people—nearly 100 times smaller than Toronto. He is the fifth Yukon-born player drafted, and the highest pick after Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens went No. 7 in 2019. His selection as an Indigenous player follows that of Jordin Tootoo, who was drafted in 2001 but not first overall.
Toronto general manager John Chayka, who took over a team in transition, said the staff was unanimous on their choice. Chayka traveled to Whitehorse last month to spend time with McKenna and his family. The Maple Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since Matthews’ arrival.
Draft Day Traditions and Other Picks
The draft opened with Bettman being booed—a draft-day tradition—as he took the stage, joined by Sabres forward Josh Doan and Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. Dawkins called Bettman his “new dawg” and led a cheer of “Let’s go, Buffalo.” The San Jose Sharks hold the No. 2 pick, followed by Vancouver, Buffalo, and the New York Rangers. The top of the draft class is considered light on forwards and deep in defensemen.
