McKenna would be ‘pumped’ to join Maple Leafs

Eighteen-year-old hockey phenom Gavin McKenna is eagerly anticipating the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, with a particular hope of hearing his name called first by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The prospect, widely considered the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, has already seen a fan sporting a Maple Leafs jersey with his familiar No. 72, a gesture that has fueled his excitement.

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It doesn’t really feel real, but it’s pretty cool. Toronto is such a big fan base and passionate fan base. If I do get drafted there, I’d be pumped. It was pretty cool to see (the jersey).

McKenna's journey to this potential milestone has been impressive. He burst onto the Western Hockey League scene at age 14 and has since achieved remarkable scoring records, including 97 points in the 2023-24 season and a league-leading 129 points in 2024-25. Opting for the NCAA route this past season, he joined Penn State to face tougher competition, finishing with 51 points in 35 games.

However, McKenna's path has not been without challenges. He faces misdemeanor charges of simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct following an alleged on-campus altercation in February that reportedly resulted in a broken jaw for another individual. Prosecutors dropped the more serious aggravated assault charge. McKenna, who has not publicly shared his account of the events, described the year as having "a lot of ups and downs," emphasizing his efforts to "block out all the noise and stay humble and stay positive."

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Wherever I get picked, I’m excited. It’s the NHL draft. I get to experience it with my family and go through it with them.

Despite these legal and personal hurdles, McKenna remains focused on his NHL aspirations. He acknowledged thinking about the No. 1 pick and expressed excitement about experiencing the draft with his family, regardless of the team that selects him. His performance and potential continue to draw attention, even as he navigates off-ice issues.

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Lot of ups and downs this year. Just trying to battle through that stuff and just block out all the noise and stay humble and stay positive through it all. I learned a lot.