CHL to NHL: 2026 first overall pick McKenna debuts with Maple Leafs
Former Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
Starting his NHL career on a line with William Nylander and former OHLer John Tavares, he played 15:19 in total.
McKenna’s selection by Toronto made him the 43rd CHL-developed player to be picked first overall in the NHL Draft, the second CHL-developed player picked first overall by the Leafs (after Saskatoon Blades alumnus Wendel Clark in 1985) and the first Yukon native and Tigers alumnus to be picked first overall in the NHL Draft.
A moment Gavin McKenna will never forget 💙 #NHLFaceOff
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/qAjIlD26Mn pic.twitter.com/SuUrEqE3WS
— NHL (@NHL) September 29, 2026
Born in Whitehorse, McKenna became just the fourth player born in the Yukon to play in an NHL game. He also became one of two active NHLers born in the territory, joining Ottawa Senators forward Dylan Cozens.
During three seasons with the Tigers, McKenna scored 79 goals to go along with 165 assists in 133 games. He added 12 goals and 33 assists in 25 WHL playoff games, which culminated in a WHL championship and an appearance in the final of the Memorial Cup in 2024-25.
During his time in the CHL, McKenna amassed a number of accolades, including the Jim Piggott Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year (2023-24), CHL Rookie of the Year (2023-24), Four Broncos Trophy for WHL Player of the Year (2024-25) and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year (2024-25).
At the international level, McKenna has put together a similarly impressive resume, including a U18 World Championship and Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal and as well as a bronze medal at the 2026 World Juniors.
Selected first overall by Medicine Hat in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna became the second consecutive CHL alumnus to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft after the New York Islanders did so with former Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer in 2025.
