As predicted, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with their first overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday. To some surprise, however, longtime Leafs fan and famed Canadian singer Justin Bieber was on hand to make the official announcement.
“Mr. McKenna, we would like to draft you to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Bieber declared from the draft stage at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Naturally, McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, walked up to the star’s hit song “Yukon.”
The moment Justin Bieber and the Toronto Maple Leafs made it official and drafted Gavin McKenna No. 1 in the 2026 NHL draft 👏 pic.twitter.com/CFuNKKCDTy
During his post-draft interview with Bieber, McKenna, who will join the team after a solid season at Penn State, described the surreal experience on Friday. “This is nuts,” McKenna said of the moment. “Obviously, I just want to start by thanking my family. I love you guys, I wouldn’t be here without you guys. For all the Yukoners at home, that song is for you. Thanks, Justin. I’m so grateful, I’ve got no words right now.”
Bieber added that as a fan, having the Leafs get the first overall pick for the first time in a decade was “hard to put in words, honestly.”
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“Being here, it’s a dream, bro,” he said. “And I know this guy’s gonna kill it.”
Yukon on repeat pic.twitter.com/utWDXXEqQf
Bieber, who has proudly donned Leafs gear during his tours and is often spotted at playoff games, was a fitting choice to announce the news. Now, with the addition of McKenna, the Leafs appear one step closer to clinching their first Stanley Cup since 1967.
