Gavin McKenna is going to live with one of his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates

The world's biggest hockey market can be an intimidating place for an 18-year-old first-overall draft pick coming into the NHL. However, this former Toronto Maple Leafs captain is extending his helping hand.

Top Maple Leafs draft pick Gavin McKenna will be living with veteran John Tavares and his family for his rookie season in Toronto, according to Michael Traikos of The Hockey News.

"You want him to go out and enjoy all the great things about being a Maple Leaf, and living his dream, playing in the NHL, and the opportunity to play for an unbelievable fanbase that's going to love him and support him," Tavares told a group of reporters in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Tavares has opened his home to several young Leafs rookies in previous seasons, including Easton Cowan during the 2025-26 season and Matthew Knies in 2023-24.

Maple Leafs’ first overall pick Gavin McKenna is set to move into John Tavares’ house for his rookie season in Toronto, per @Michael_Traikos

Tavares has played host to some young Maple Leafs in the past before, and he’ll now host the No. 1 overall pick

A great leader on and… pic.twitter.com/2J6WrgOFF4

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 9, 2026

The 35-year-old centreman said he hopes to provide McKenna with the support of a "family environment" while he's experiencing a lot of things in the NHL for the first time.

Tavares believes times have changed for top draft picks and what they now go through since he was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009.

"The attention can be a lot at times, especially just being 18 years old and from a small town in a more remote place out in the Yukon," said Tavares on McKenna.

"This can be really positive for him."

John Tavares, 35, has played eight seasons in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform. (Luther Schlaifer/Imagn Images)

McKenna is just one of many new faces on a retooled Maple Leafs team with Stanley Cup aspirations, with moves that the former Leafs captain believes will put this team back into contention.

Tavares was asked what he thought of the additions of McKenna, Darren Raddysh, and two-time Stanley Cup champion Sergei Bobrovsky, and he said he believes the moves inch the team closer to its goal of winning the Cup.

"That's what our goal is. Now, it's one thing to say. But there's a lot you have to go out and prove. You have to build it. Everybody's excited," said Tavares.

Fans will get a glimpse of McKenna and the new-look Maple Leafs next week, as the team opens preseason action against the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 19.