McKenna Goes First Overall to Toronto at 2026 NHL Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected McKenna with the first overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft, headlining an event that drew comparisons to the memorable 2022 draft. That year, Slovak prospect Juraj Slafkovský was chosen first overall by the Montreal Canadiens in a similarly suspenseful selection, with cameras capturing the faces of top candidates before the announcement was made — a scene that repeated itself this year. The 2026 draft was also shaped by a trade involving German star Nico Nieminen, while the Montreal Canadiens made headlines with a notable selection of their own. The NHL Draft is the annual event at which North American professional hockey teams select eligible young players, and a first-overall pick typically signals the choosing of the most highly regarded prospect in a given year.