Leafs sign No. 1 pick McKenna to entry-level deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed forward Gavin McKenna, the first overall selection in the recent NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. The announcement was made by the club on Friday, solidifying McKenna's transition to professional hockey.

McKenna, who is 18 years old, is coming off a stellar season with Penn State University's men's hockey team. He registered 15 goals and 36 assists for a total of 51 points in just 35 games. This performance highlights his offensive capabilities and potential impact at the professional level.

Prior to his collegiate career, McKenna played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. During his time there, he was a dominant force, accumulating an impressive 244 points in 133 games. His exceptional play earned him the CHL Player of the Year award in 2024-25, as he led the Canadian Hockey League with 129 points in 56 games.

Internationally, McKenna has also represented Canada with distinction. He was part of the gold-medal-winning teams at the 2024 under-18 world championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He further showcased his talent at the 2026 world junior championship, contributing 14 points in seven games as Canada secured a bronze medal.