Maple Leafs take forward Gavin McKenna with first pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs select forward Gavin McKenna out of Penn State University.

McKenna has widely been regarded as the best prospect available in the 2026 class for several years leading up to the draft.

The native of Whitehorse, Yukon was the former first overall pick of the WHL Draft, where he played parts of three seasons of junior hockey in the WHL, producing a whopping 244 points (79+165) in 133 games. He then decided to make the jump to the college ranks and play his draft year as a Freshman with the Nittany Lions of Penn State University.

To start the year, it appeared the jump to the NCAA might have been a bit too much for McKenna, who quickly learned that the skill and finesse that he shined with at the junior level wasn't going to fly so much in college. Despite the slow start, McKenna still finished his year with 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games.

He has also represented the Canadians at the IIHF World Junior Championship the last two years as a youngster, winning a bronze medal at the 2026 tournament in Minnesota.

There is no denying the skill that McKenna possesses as the No. 1 rated prospect this year. He's got the ability to purely dictate the pace of play with the puck on his stick and set the tone with every shift he takes the ice. He's skilled on his edges, a gifted puck handler, a quick and smart decision maker, and can wire a puck with a wrist shot that most players only dream to have.

McKenna does have the potential to the make the jump to the NHL next season and make an immediate impact with the Maple Leafs.

This is the second time in 10 years the Maple Leafs have selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. It was in 2016 when Toronto picked center Auston Matthews with the No. 1 pick in a draft that was also in Buffalo.