McKenna Gets Guidance From Matthews, Tavares At Leafs Camp
Toronto's 18-year-old No. 1 pick is leaning on two former top selections as he enters his first NHL training camp.
Gavin McKenna sat beside two players who understand the expectations attached to a No. 1 pick at Toronto Maple Leafs media day Wednesday.
McKenna, selected first overall by Toronto in the 2026 NHL Draft, was joined by captain Auston Matthews, the No. 1 pick in 2016, and John Tavares, who went first overall to the New York Islanders in 2009.
Matthews said his advice to the 18-year-old has been straightforward: be himself, work hard, respect people, learn and enjoy the experience. McKenna said he has already begun learning from Tavares's preparation and off-ice habits while staying with the veteran's family.
The first official on-ice session of camp is Thursday, though McKenna has skated with teammates for several weeks. Coach Jim Hiller said the rookie has improved as he has grown more comfortable and declined to set a ceiling or identify his opening linemates.
"We're going to be wise," Hiller said. "We're not setting any ceiling for him at all. We're going to let him dictate where he falls."
McKenna said the attention in Toronto can serve as motivation. He experienced a similar swing at Penn State last season, scoring four goals in his first 16 games before producing 33 points in his final 19 after returning from the World Junior Championship.
He finished his freshman season with 51 points on 15 goals and 36 assists in 36 games.
