Gavin McKenna, center, stands with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, and singer Justin Bieber, right, after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
By The Canadian Press

Maple Leafs keep top pick Gavin McKenna out of NHL Prospect Challenge

Sep 11, 2026 | 11:23 AM

TORONTO — Top prospect Gavin McKenna won’t be making his Toronto Maple Leafs debut this weekend after all.

Media reports say the forward won’t participate in the four-team NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Que.

Toronto Marlies head coach Steve Sullivan, the bench boss for the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, told reporters about the decision Friday afternoon.

McKenna had been named to the Maple Leafs’ roster for the event on Thursday.

The 18-year-old from Whitehorse was selected first overall by Toronto in this summer’s NHL draft.

Two & Out
PETERS: We could use more leaders like Dieter
1h ago
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Democracy should be more than a comment section
4h ago
Looped In
LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: September 10, 2026
Sep 10, 2026

Prospects from the Maple Leafs organization will face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Sullivan is coaching the prospects team along with the Marlies coaching staff, including Mark Giordano, Denver Manderson, Greg Moore, Hannu Toivonen and Nick Biamonte.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Our Community

Two & Out
PETERS: We could use more leaders like Dieter
1h ago
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Democracy should be more than a comment section
4h ago
Looped In
LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: September 10, 2026
Sep 10, 2026
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: More, improved schools coming to B.C.
Sep 09, 2026
Municipal Election
Candidates for Kamloops mayor and council - 2026
Sep 08, 2026