Nearly five years after being selected first overall in the NHL draft, Buffalo Sabres defenceman Owen Power has a message for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospective top pick: enjoy the ride and don’t overthink it.
Power’s Perspective on Being a Top Pick
Speaking on Friday morning, Power reflected on his own experience and offered advice to the player the Maple Leafs will choose first overall at the KeyBank Center on June 26. “Have fun with it and enjoy it,” Power said. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or listen to the outside too much. Whoever it is, I’m sure they’re going to be fine.”
If the Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna, the spotlight has already been intense. McKenna dominated the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers, amassing 226 points in 117 games over two seasons, and followed that with 51 points in 35 games at Penn State this year.
Power’s Path to the NHL
After being drafted by the Sabres, Power returned to the University of Michigan for the 2021-22 season and represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He made his NHL debut in Toronto against the Maple Leafs on April 12, 2022, playing eight games before joining the Sabres full-time in 2022-23.
Now 23, the Mississauga native has developed into a reliable defenceman, averaging over 22 minutes per game. “I wouldn’t say (the first-pick tag) really bothered me too much,” Power said. “I think it helped going back to school for another year, where that stuff quieted down. That was the biggest thing, really, that I was able to go back to school and not have to worry about any of that. It’s definitely easier than going first and playing right away.”
As his career progresses, Power feels increasingly comfortable. “As the years have gone on, I’ve grown my game and I feel more comfortable out there. I definitely feel good about it,” he added.
McKenna’s No. 72 jersey is already popular among Maple Leafs fans, and the team’s decision will be closely watched. Power’s journey serves as a reminder that patience and development can lead to long-term success.
