Former Penn State men's hockey forward Gavin McKenna is officially a Toronto Maple Leaf.
The franchise drafted McKenna No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft and the young left-winger signed his contract just a few days later in the evening of July 3. McKenna was joined by his mother and father at the Toronto facility for the signing.
His entry-level contract is a three-year deal with $1,025,000 guaranteed in his first season ($1,075,000 and $1,125,000 guaranteed salary the following seasons). According to The Athletic, he's eligible to receive up to $3.5 million in bonuses each season.
IT'S OFFICIAL 🍁
— NHL (@NHL) July 3, 2026
2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna has signed his entry-level contract with the @MapleLeafs! pic.twitter.com/jMwkC0Qq9C
Former Penn State hockey forward Gavin McKenna signs contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs
The former Nittany Lion spent one season in Happy Valley before taking the leap to the next stage of his career. He logged 51 points on 15 goals and 36 assists across 35 games, setting program and Big Ten records along the way. McKenna one collegiate season was defined by being named a Hobey Baker Top-10 Finalist.
Though McKenna's season wasn't smooth sailing. Like many incoming freshman in the NCAA, he went through an adjustment period for about the first half of the season before winter break. After his World Juniors appearance for Team Canada, his season at Penn State turned around and his production was exactly what fans expected to see out of a generational talent.
The ability to adapt and change a season around will be critical at the next level. McKenna shared after he was drafted that pressure is something he welcomes. At the end of the day, he said, he's still playing the game he loves and he's going to perform at a high level.
Officially official 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/qEYSFHSIUg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 3, 2026
“When you're out there, it's pretty easy to be dialed in,” McKenna said Thursday, according to NHL.com. “It's the game I've played my entire life. So, when I'm out there, I'm having fun, I feel comfortable and confident. And then, off the ice, you kind of want to let go and hang out with your buddies and get to know everyone.
McKenna had his first day on the ice for the Maple Leafs the day before he signed his contract as well. He participated in the team's development camp.
According to Mark Masters of TSN, the forward also chose his jersey number. He originally wore No. 72 for the Nittany Lions, which goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will continue wearing for Toronto this upcoming season.
His other preferred numbers, 27 and nine, are retired numbers hanging in the rafters at Scotiabank Arena. Masters reported that he mixed and matched his selections and picked No. 92.
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