Schaefer, McKenna set for first NHL meeting Wednesday in Toronto
The past two No. 1 picks and former Team Canada teammates meet when the Islanders open their season, one day after McKenna is scheduled to make his NHL debut.
Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders open their season against Gavin McKenna and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; Prime, MSGSN). It will be the first NHL meeting between the past two No. 1 picks in the draft.
McKenna's regular-season NHL debut is scheduled for Tuesday at home against the Montreal Canadiens, making the Islanders game his second date on Toronto's opening schedule.
"It'll be cool," McKenna told NHL.com about facing Schaefer. "I watched him a lot last year and he lit it up." McKenna said they have played together more often than against one another.
Schaefer grew up in Stoney Creek, Ontario, near Toronto. "It's a short drive for family and friends to watch our first game," he told NHL.com. He said the Islanders are focused on their own play despite Toronto's changes.
The two first met while playing at the under-17 level for Hockey Canada and later became teammates. Schaefer assisted on McKenna's goal in Canada's 4-0 win over Finland at the 2025 World Junior Championship, according to NHL.com. That history gives their first NHL matchup a personal connection as well as the contrast between consecutive top draft picks.
Schaefer said McKenna should be able to handle the attention that comes with playing in Toronto: "He's felt pressure before. We've all had pressure our whole life. Just got to play the game, be yourself, and have fun with it."
