McKenna Attends World Cup Match in Toronto
Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the first round of the National Hockey League draft, got an initial look at a rabid Toronto sports crowd on Tuesday when he attended the FIFA World Cup match between Croatia and Panama at Toronto Stadium.
McKenna posted a short video on Instagram from inside the stadium, taken from midfield, letting the crowd noise play in the background without any commentary.
Earlier Promotional Shoot in Etobicoke
Earlier in the day, McKenna was at the Cwench Centre in Etobicoke for what appeared to be a promotional shoot, according to the Toronto Sun.
Likely First Overall Pick for Maple Leafs
The prevailing thought is that McKenna will be drafted by the Maple Leafs with the first pick in Buffalo on Friday night. It would be the third time in franchise history that Toronto picks first overall, barring an unexpected last-minute trade. The Leafs selected Wendel Clark first in 1985 and Auston Matthews with the first pick in 2016.
At the draft combine in Buffalo earlier this month, McKenna was asked about being drafted by the Leafs. “The situation the Leafs are in right now, it’s pretty crazy that they got the first overall pick (because) their team is probably going to be fighting for the playoffs next year,” McKenna said. “I’d be pretty fortunate to go there.”
McKenna on Playing with Matthews
McKenna talked with TSN about the potential of playing with Matthews and the Leafs. “My game is a playmaker,” McKenna told Gino Reda. “I can think the game very well and I can find guys in spots where not many people can find them. I think my game has always been like that. I think if you put me with a shooter, it could be pretty lethal. That’s who Auston Matthews is. He is a shooter and he has experience in the league. Having a guy like that and guys like Tavares, who have been through it, could help me a lot if that’s the case.”
