“I wasn’t planning on changing my number”: Maple Leafs introduce Gavin McKenna | FULL

By Global News

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After selecting Gavin McKenna from the Penn State Nittany Lions 1st overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka and Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations Mats Sundin introduced their first pick on Saturday. Chayka spoke about flying out to Whitehorse to meet McKenna in the weeks leading up to the draft. “I landed at 11 (p.m.) to full sun, so that was a new one for me,” he said with a chuckle. “My wife’s from Timmons, so I thought I had an idea — but I didn’t. And it was great, a beautiful place. I can tell why Gavin enjoys being there.” When asked about texts he’s received since joining the Leafs, McKenna said he had heard from both Auston Matthews and John Tavares, as well as another player he looked up to while growing up. “Patrick Kane texted me, he’s my idol so that was cool,” McKenna said with a smile about the future Hall of Famer and pending unrestricted free agent. Asked if he would change his No. 72, which

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