Toronto Maple Leafs draft Gavin McKenna and Justin Bieber made the pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs did exactly what most people figured they would do with the first pick in the NHL Draft.

They chose Whitehorse, Yukon native Gavin McKenna.

This was already the honour of a lifetime for the 18-year-old, but what made it even cooler was that it was Justin Bieber who took the podium to announce the pick.

You’re the first pick of the NHL Draft and Justin Bieber just announced the selection

Surreal moment for the newest Maple Leaf, Gavin McKenna pic.twitter.com/QOnLyBRBin

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 26, 2026

"I've worked my whole life towards this, so for it to finally be here, it's a special moment," McKenna said on the television broadcast, in a chat with New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer.

"My family, everyone sitting there, all the Yukoners, growing up there, the support I got from that Territory was pretty special. To all my coaches, I could go on forever with who I could thank."

Gavin McKenna chats with Matthew Schaefer after being selected first overall in the 2026 #NHLDraft ☝️ pic.twitter.com/EmSgL6RFeA

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 26, 2026

McKenna has long been expected to go first overall in the draft. He cracked Canada's lineup for the World Juniors in 2025, and recorded 14 points in seven games at the 2026 tournament. 

After putting up a ridiculous 41 goals and 129 points with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-25, McKenna chose to join Penn State for the 2025-26 campaign. It took him some time to adjust, though he still finished the season with an impressive 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games.

As for the Leafs, they added a potential gamebreaking talent to their roster which already features several prominent stars such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

The Leafs were never expected to be in this position, but had a horrendous season which saw them finish 28th in NHL standings with a record of 32-36-14. They wound up winning the draft lottery despite only having an 8.5 per cent chance of doing so.

McKenna is just one of several changes with the Leafs this offseason.

After their disappointing season, they chose to fire both GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube. They named John Chayka as their new GM a short time later, before then hiring Jim Hiller as their head coach.

It remains to be seen where McKenna will slot into the Leafs' lineup, but barring a major surprise, he will be playing in the NHL this coming season. If he's close to anything as advertised, he should help play a big role in the Leafs getting back into the playoffs next year.