The 2026 National Hockey League draft concluded on Saturday with Rounds 2 through 7 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The Toronto Maple Leafs made five selections across the second and third rounds, adding depth on defense and forward.
Second-Round Picks
With the 60th overall pick, the Maple Leafs selected defenseman Alexander Bilecki from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound left-handed shot from Mississauga recorded 29 points (nine goals and 20 assists) in 66 games during his second OHL season. He added 11 points in 18 playoff games and three assists in four Memorial Cup contests as Kitchener won the championship. Bilecki is described as a contributor in all situations and an efficient puck mover.
At 69th overall, Toronto chose defenseman Ethan MacKenzie from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound right-handed shot from British Columbia brings physicality and offensive production from the blue line. In the 2025-26 season, MacKenzie tallied 22 goals and 36 assists in 59 games. He also represented Canada at the 2026 world junior championship, recording five points in seven games. MacKenzie, who turns 20 in September, was passed over in the previous two NHL drafts and is committed to the University of North Dakota for the upcoming season.
Third-Round Selections
With the 73rd overall pick, acquired from the St. Louis Blues in the Brandon Carlo trade, the Leafs selected right winger Zach Olsen from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. The 18-year-old Calgary native posted 34 points in 57 games and added six points in 10 playoff games. At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Olsen is known for his skating and speed. He is committed to Colorado College for the 2026-27 season.
Another pick from the Carlo trade, the 76th overall selection, was used to draft defenseman Mans Gudmunsson from Farjestad's junior team in Sweden. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed shot from Skovde, Sweden, recorded 25 points (one goal and 24 assists) in 35 games. The 18-year-old is at his best when playing physical and with an aggressive edge, but will need to improve his skating to transition to North American pro hockey.
With the 85th overall pick, Toronto selected goaltender Juuso Ainasto from Jokerit's junior program in Finland. The 18-year-old Finn split the 2025-26 season between the under-18 and under-20 clubs, shining with the under-18 team where he posted a .925 save percentage in 12 playoff games. At 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, Ainasto plays an effective butterfly style and is confident challenging shooters. He is the second goaltender taken by the Leafs in three years, following Timofei Obvintsev (157th overall in 2024).
More selections are expected to be announced as the draft continues.
