Fans Divided as Maple Leafs Pick Gavin Mckenna First Overall

WHO:

Fox News - The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna as the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Fox News - Gavin McKenna is an 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon.

Sportskeeda - Justin Bieber announced the Maple Leafs' pick at the draft.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Toronto Maple Leafs "earned" the top pick after a poor performance in the 2025-26 season.

Fox News - Gavin McKenna posted 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games at Penn State last season.

Fox News - After McKenna, the San Jose Sharks selected Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick, and the Vancouver Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra with the No. 3 pick.

WHERE:

Fox News - The 2026 NHL Draft took place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, home of the Buffalo Sabres.

WHEN:

Fox News - The 2026 NHL Draft occurred on a Friday night.

WHY:

Fox News - The Maple Leafs selected McKenna due to his status as the presumptive top prospect in the draft for years.

HOW:

Fox News - The Maple Leafs' new GM John Chayka met with McKenna at his home prior to the draft.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made headlines by selecting Gavin McKenna as the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which took place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. McKenna, an 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, impressed with a strong performance at Penn State, where he recorded 51 points in just 35 games last season. The announcement of the pick was made by Justin Bieber, and following McKenna, the San Jose Sharks chose Ivar Stenberg at number two, while the Vancouver Canucks picked Caleb Malhotra at number three.