Toronto Maple Leafs Sign First Overall Pick Gavin McKenna to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Gavin McKenna to a three-year entry-level contract on Friday. The move came one week after the 2026 NHL draft in Buffalo, New York, where Justin Bieber announced Toronto's selection of the forward. McKenna attended the team's development camp the following week.

He initially selected jersey No. 72 but gave it up after the Maple Leafs signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year, $21 million contract on Wednesday. McKenna recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games as a Penn State freshman, setting program records for a rookie with 36 assists and 51 points.

He led the Big Ten with 38 points in conference play and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Before entering the NCAA, McKenna recorded 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. In the 2024-25 season he added nine goals and 38 points in 16 playoff games to help Medicine Hat win the WHL title.

He led the CHL with 129 points in 56 games that year and earned CHL Player of the Year honors. Toronto paid McKenna the maximum allowed salary under the CBA: $1.025 million in Year 1, $1.075 million in Year 2 and $1.125 million in Year 3. The contract also includes eligibility for up to $3.5 million in annual bonuses, including $250,000 each for 20 goals, 35 assists, 60 points or 0.73 points per game.

McKenna became the third No. 1 overall pick in Maple Leafs history.