Charisma Madarang
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: (L-R) Gavin McKenna of Canada and singer Justin Bieber look on after McKenna was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Bruce Bennett/Getty Images As predicted, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with their first overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday. To some surprise, however, longtime Leafs fan and famed Canadian singer Justin Bieber was on hand to make the official announcement.
“Mr. McKenna, we would like to draft you to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Bieber declared from the draft stage at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Naturally, McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, walked up to the star’s hit song “Yukon.”
The moment Justin Bieber and the Toronto Maple Leafs made it official and drafted Gavin McKenna No. 1 in the 2026 NHL draft 👏 pic.twitter.com/CFuNKKCDTy
— ESPN (@espn) June 26, 2026
During his post-draft interview with Bieber, McKenna, who will join the team after a solid season at Penn State, described the surreal experience on Friday. “This is nuts,” McKenna said of the moment. “Obviously, I just want to start by thanking my family. I love you guys, I wouldn’t be here without you guys. For all the Yukoners at home, that song is for you. Thanks, Justin. I’m so grateful, I’ve got no words right now.”
Bieber added that as a fan, having the Leafs get the first overall pick for the first time in a decade was “hard to put in words, honestly.”
