New York (AFP) – Penn State University left wing Gavin McKenna was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first pick in the NHL Draft on Friday at Buffalo, New York. The Maple Leafs, who have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, captured the rights to the first selection at the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, with San Jose getting the second choice and Vancouver claiming the third.
Toronto revamped the coaching and management staff after missing the playoffs with 32 wins and 78 points from 82 games. The Leafs will try boosting the squad by adding 18-year-old McKenna, who had 15 goals and 36 assists for the Nittany Lions last season and helped Canada to a bronze medal in the World Junior Championships by scoring four goals and adding 10 assists.
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“Unbelievable,” McKenna said. “I’ve worked my whole life towards this so for it to finally be here, it’s a special moment.” Canadian singer Justin Bieber announced the Leafs’ choice was McKenna and introduced a welcome to the team video message from Leafs star Auston Matthews. “He’s a special player so it would mean the world to play with him and learn from him,” McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, said of Matthews.
Swedish left wing Ivar Stenberg went second to San Jose. The 18-year-old scored 11 goals and added 22 assists in 43 games with Frolunda of the Swedish league. He had four goals and four assists in the World Junior Championships.
Canadian center Caleb Malhotra was taken third by Vancouver, whose coach is Manny Malhotra, Caleb’s father. The 18-year-old scored 29 goals and added 55 assists in 67 games last season for Brantford of the Ontario Hockey League.
“This is unbelievable,” the teen Malhotra said. “It’s a dream come true.” Malhotra’s father was named head coach of the Canucks earlier this month, and Malhotra’s uncle is retired Canadian NBA star Steve Nash, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
© 2024 AFP
