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Maple Leafs Select Yukon’s Gavin McKenna First Overall

6/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Toronto Maple Leafs chose forward Gavin McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center.
Pop star Justin Bieber announced the selection onstage, naming McKenna, a Penn State forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, as the territory’s highest-drafted player ever.
General manager John Chayka called the pick a no-brainer, saying McKenna’s character and skill set make him a potential future leader for the franchise.

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Story summary

The Toronto Maple Leafs chose forward Gavin McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center.
Pop star Justin Bieber announced the selection onstage, naming McKenna, a Penn State forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, as the territory’s highest-drafted player ever.
General manager John Chayka called the pick a no-brainer, saying McKenna’s character and skill set make him a potential future leader for the franchise.