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Maple Leafs select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick in NHL draft
By John Wawrow, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
Gavin McKenna’s nerves finally eased when lifetime Maple Leafs fan and international pop icon Justin Bieber took the NHL draft stage to announce who Toronto was selecting No. 1.“He was looking at me and I kind of was thinking, maybe,” McKenna said with a laugh. “Crazy. Just crazy what’s going on ...
Key takeaway The 18-year-old from Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse has been a prolific scorer on both sides of the U.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
For Alamo Heights residents who follow hockey, the NHL draft selection of Gavin McKenna by the Toronto Maple Leafs may seem like a distant event, but it has implications for the local sports landscape. As the San Antonio area continues to grow and attract new residents, interest in professional hockey is likely to increase, potentially leading to more opportunities for local youth to engage with the sport. The selection of McKenna, a prolific scorer from Yukon, also highlights the global nature of the NHL, which could lead to increased exposure for the sport in the Alamo Heights community. Additionally, the rebuilding process of the Maple Leafs, a team with a significant following in the US, may lead to more games and events being broadcast in the San Antonio area, giving local fans a chance to follow the team's progress and potentially sparking new interest in the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gavin McKenna’s nerves finally eased when lifetime Maple Leafs fan and international pop icon Justin Bieber took the NHL draft stage to announce who Toronto was selecting No. 1.“He was looking at me and I kind of was thinking, maybe,” McKenna said with a laugh. “Crazy. Just crazy what’s going on ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Wawrow, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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