Auston Matthews was among the first to reach out to Gavin McKenna following the NHL Draft.
The newly selected Maple Leafs forward shared that Toronto’s captain messaged him shortly after he was picked first overall on Friday.
“(Matthews) said, ‘Congrats, looking forward to snapping it around’ with me,” McKenna mentioned.
McKenna noted receiving around 60 messages after the draft, including ones from Matthews and experienced forward John Tavares. Matthews also extended a more detailed welcome to the 18-year-old.
“We’re just as excited to have you join the Maple Leafs and cannot wait to get started,” Matthews expressed. “You’re coming to a franchise with an amazing history and fan base, and we’re all working to write the next great chapter together.”
Matthews, like McKenna, was also a No. 1 pick for Toronto, having been selected first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.
While McKenna is thrilled to join the Maple Leafs, he understands the importance of proving himself.
“You’re not just going to step into the League and hop right onto the first line; I’ve got to earn that and prove myself,” McKenna stated. “That’s going to be big motivation for me this summer because guys like Auston Matthews and John Tavares are the guys you want to play with and surround yourself with.”
Gavin McKenna is coming off an impressive freshman year at Penn State, where he earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and topped the conference in scoring.
Gavin McKenna shared an emotional message after draft night
Less than 24 hours after being named first overall, Gavin McKenna took to Instagram to share an emotional message.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for a long time, but to hear my name called from the draft stage was better than any of my dreams,” he wrote.
The 18-year-old also expressed gratitude to his hometown of Yukon and his family for their unwavering support.
“To everyone back home in Yukon, it’s a blessing to be part of this amazing community and I can’t thank you all enough for your incredible support,” McKenna wrote. “To my family, I wouldn’t be here without you. Every sacrifice made to get me to today does not go unnoticed.”
Gavin McKenna concluded a strong first season at Penn State, recording 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games. He also ranked second in the NCAA with 1.46 points per game and was among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.
Edited by Sonali Verma
