Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, has spent much of the offseason skating in Vancouver, British Columbia, alongside San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, aiming to elevate his game against elite competition.
Intensive Offseason Training
McKenna discussed his summer work during the NHLPA Rookie Showcase at the Blackhawks Ice Center in Chicago on Wednesday. He described an intense training stretch that included roughly 17 hours on the ice over one week, calling the sessions highly competitive and a valuable boost to his development.
Celebrini, 20, is coming off a standout season with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, the fourth-highest total in the NHL behind Connor McDavid (138), Nikita Kucherov (130), and Nathan MacKinnon (127). A finalist for the 2025 Calder Trophy, which was won by Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson, Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million contract with San Jose on Wednesday, carrying a league-high average annual value of $18.8 million.
McKenna is seeking a similar trajectory. After leaving the Western Hockey League two seasons ago to join Penn State, the 18-year-old became one of the youngest players in men’s college hockey last season. He tied for fifth in the NCAA with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) over 35 games and ranked second nationally with 1.46 points per game. He was also a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Toronto won the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 and selected McKenna, who is expected to play a key role in reviving a Maple Leafs team that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in a decade. He said he recognizes the scrutiny that comes with playing in Toronto but is focused on his preparation and performance.
In Vancouver, McKenna has kept on-ice work intense and off-ice conversations with Celebrini relaxed, choosing to observe the veteran’s habits more than probe him for NHL advice. He said he has learned from Celebrini’s approach and work rate.
McKenna also recently met with Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, the top pick in the 2023 draft. Bedard, who has 203 points (75 goals, 128 assists) in 219 NHL games, injured his left shoulder during a practice in Vancouver on July 2 and underwent surgery shortly afterward. He is expected to return in November.
After a busy stretch that included the NHL Draft Combine, the draft in Buffalo, and the Maple Leafs’ development camp in Toronto, McKenna is more settled in Vancouver and taking in the Rookie Showcase in Chicago. He said connecting with fellow prospects offers a glimpse of the competition he’ll face for years to come.