McKenna Goes No. 1 Overall In 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft™

Gary Bettman, Gavin McKenna, Justin Bieber / Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Seven players with connections to the Big Ten Conference were chosen in the first round of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft™, which commenced Friday at KeyBank Center. The seven selections matched the highest total in the Big Ten’s 13-year history. Rounds 2-7 will take place Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. ET.

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna was chosen No. 1 overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the first Big Ten player to achieve that feat since Michigan defenseman Owen Power in 2021. McKenna also became the fourth player from a Big Ten school to be selected No. 1 overall, joining Minnesota’s Erik Johnson (2006) and Michigan State’s Joe Murphy (1986).

McKenna earned AHCA/CCM All-America West Second Team honors this past season, compiling 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points in 35 games. He received several conference postseason accolades, being named All-Big Ten Second Team, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and winning the league scoring title with 38 points in 24 conference games.

With McKenna’s selection, the Big Ten has now produced five No. 1 draft picks this season for professional leagues involving football, women’s hockey, women’s lacrosse and volleyball.

Michigan State had four incoming players drafted – Chase Reid (Seattle-7th), Nikita Klepov (Anaheim-15th), Ethan Belchetz (Utah-17th), and Jack Hextall (Calgary-30th). Michigan’s J.P. Hurlbert (Detroit-23rd) and Minnesota’s Wyatt Cullen (Calgary-10th) are recruits who also had their names called tonight.

Since forming a hockey conference in 2013-14, the Big Ten has attracted 48 first-round selections, including 10 top-five recipients.