NHL overall No. 1 draft pick and former Penn State forward Gavin McKenna signed an entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs last week.
In his one year at Penn State, McKenna was named second-team all-American, a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist, a B1G all-freshman team member and all-B1G second team selection as well as becoming the first-ever Penn State player to win the B1G scoring title and earn B1G Freshman of the Year honors.
The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, was the sixth-youngest player in men’s college hockey last season. He finished tied for fifth in the NCAA with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) and was second with 1.46 points per game in 35 games.
Before enrolling at Penn State, McKenna played parts of three seasons for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League, winning Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honors in 2024-25 after finishing second in the WHL with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games.
McKenna participated in Maple Leafs development camp last week.
“When you’re out there, it’s pretty easy to be dialed in,” he told NHL.com. “It’s the game I’ve played my entire life. So, when I’m out there, I’m having fun, I feel comfortable and confident. And then, off the ice, you kind of want to let go and hang out with your buddies and get to know everyone.”