06/26/26 06:25:00
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06/26 18:23 CDT Maple Leafs select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the
No. 1 NHL draft pick
Maple Leafs select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 NHL draft
pick
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Hockey Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) --- With most of Yukon watching and a loud presence of Maple
Leafs fans in the stands, Toronto selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna
with the first pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.
The 18-year-old McKenna is from Yukon's capital of Whitehorse and has been a
prolific scorer on both sides of the border, with his selection validating the
projections of the left winger being his age group's top prospect more than two
years ago.
McKenna's selection was announced by longtime Leafs fan and Canadian-born
international pop icon Justin Bieber.
As in 2016, there was a large contingent of blue and white jersey-wearing Leafs
fans, with a "Go Leafs, go!" chant erupting once Toronto was placed on the
clock. Saying "the child in me is ecstatic," Bieber joined NHL Commissioner
Gary Bettman on stage and, after a short pause, looked over to McKenna and
declared him being a member of the Maple Leafs.
The draft opened with Bettman getting booed --- a draft-day tradition --- as he
took the stage, and was joined by Sabres forward Josh Doan and NFL Bills tackle
Dion Dawkins.
Dawkins referred to Bettman as his "new dawg," acknowledged both the Sabres and
Maple Leafs fans in attendance in leading a cheer of "Let's go, Buffalo."
For Toronto, McKenna represents a major plank in the rebuilding process of a
team suddenly in transition under new general manager John Chayka. And the pick
took place in Buffalo in the same arena where the Maple Leafs' last had the No.
1 selection, drafting captain Auston Matthews in 2016.
Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and missed the
playoffs for the first time since Matthews' arrival.
The San Jose Sharks have the No. 2 pick, followed by Vancouver, Buffalo and the
New York Rangers.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
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