Toronto Maple Leafs top pick had to settle for fourth jersey number choice

We're almost two weeks away from hockey returning to Toronto, and a new-look Maple Leafs team that will feature the 2026 first-overall pick, Gavin McKenna.

The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, will wear No. 92 in his rookie campaign with the team — a number he's never worn before in his career, but it's one that somewhat represents his journey to this point.

McKenna previously wore No. 72 with Penn State University in the NCAA and the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, but with Leafs veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky taking that number, the rookie had to find something new.

In a social media video, McKenna spilled the beans on how he decided on No. 92.

"Well, 72 was taken, and I used to wear nine, which is retired in Toronto; so with nine and 72, I just kind of put them together and got 92," McKenna said.

 

 

 

 

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He also mentioned that he had considered another jersey number: No. 27 (72 backwards), but it is also retired by the franchise, previously worn by greats Darryl Sittler and Frank Mahovlich.

When the Leafs drafted McKenna in June, some fans jumped the gun and bought custom No. 72 jerseys. The decision, however, came back to haunt them when the Leafs signed Bobrovsky to a three-year, $21 million deal in free agency almost a week later.

McKenna previously said there was no issue giving up No. 72 after Bobrovsky reached out to him after signing with Toronto.

"Anytime you have a guy like that who's been in the league for that long and won two Stanley Cups, I'm not just going to take his number," McKenna said.

"He's a staple in this league. As an 18-year-old kid, you're not gonna take that number."

Now fans will get their first look at McKenna and Bobrovsky in the prestigious Maple Leafs white and blue during one of the franchise's upcoming two split-squad preseason games.

The team's first preseason game will take place on Sept. 19 against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by another split-squad matchup against the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 23.

The Maple Leafs will then open the 2026-27 regular season at Scotiabank Arena against Montreal on Sept. 29.