The Toronto Maple Leafs made forward Gavin McKenna the first player chosen in the NHL draft Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y., selecting the 18-year-old with the No. 1 overall pick.
McKenna had been widely projected as the top selection following a dominant debut season at Penn State, where he racked up 51 points — 15 goals and 36 assists — across 35 games. He also represented Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, contributing 14 points (four goals and 10 assists) in seven games as Canada earned a bronze medal.
McKenna, who hails from Whitehorse, Yukon, will step into one of hockey’s most scrutinized markets. The Maple Leafs finished just one spot above last place in the Eastern Conference this past season with 78 points, and Friday’s pick marked only the third time in the organization’s history that it held the No. 1 overall selection.
Toronto’s two previous top picks were star captain Auston Matthews, chosen a decade ago, and forward Wendel Clark, drafted first overall back in 1985. Matthews continues to be one of the league’s premier players, while Clark went on to play 15 NHL seasons, 13 of them in a Maple Leafs uniform.
Winning the draft lottery made the decision straightforward for Toronto’s new front office leadership. General manager John Chayka and senior adviser Mats Sundin are heading the organization’s hockey operations, and last week they announced Jim Hiller as the team’s new head coach.
The San Jose Sharks hold the second overall pick as the rest of Round 1 continues Friday evening. Rounds 2 through 7 of the draft are scheduled to take place on Saturday.
