Gavin McKenna went without a point in the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp scrimmage, with Team White losing 6-4 to Team Blue, but the first-overall pick still left the ice encouraged by the pace and competitiveness of the session.
The 18-year-old winger called it a tough loss but said it was valuable to play a game in the middle of the summer. The scrimmage was played over three 25-minute runtime periods, a format that Maple Leafs assistant general manager of player development Hayley Wickenheiser said made it difficult to fully show the top end of his game.
McKenna pointed to his compete level as the main area that stood out. He said being around other prospects pushing hard has already helped him work harder and feel better on the ice.
His best moments included a 6-on-5 sequence late in the final frame, when he used his skill to keep possession before a goal, and an earlier breakaway chance. Wickenheiser said his skill, processing and small-area plays were clear throughout camp, while adding that he now needs rest, training and preparation for main camp.
McKenna signs 3-year deal after draft week
McKenna’s week in Toronto also included signing his three-year, entry-level contract with his parents, Willy and Krystal, watching. He described the moment as a major step in a career he has been working toward for most of his life.
The Penn State product has not planned much downtime. He said the stretch has been busy and noted it has been the least he has been on the ice during a summer, leaving him eager to resume skating, competing and training hard.
Wickenheiser also revealed that McKenna asked for a 1-on-1 session with her before camp began, another sign of how quickly he wanted to get back to work.
Toronto week includes Blue Jays, World Cup and No. 92
McKenna’s Toronto introduction started with a first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game, where he walked out in front of 40,000 fans. The Whitehorse native also took in the city during a busy week that included World Cup games and the buzz around Canada’s largest city.
His favourite moment came at Toronto Stadium for Portugal against Croatia in the round-of-32. McKenna said Drake was four suites away and joked that he tried to wave, but Drake did not see it.
McKenna also spoke with Sergei Bobrovsky, who joined the Leafs and also wears No. 72. McKenna said it was an easy decision not to keep that number from a veteran goalie who has been in the league for a long time and won Stanley Cups.
With No. 9 and No. 27 retired by the Leafs, McKenna chose No. 92, combining parts of both preferred options. He will follow Alexander Nylander, Igor Ozhiganov and TSN Hockey analyst Jeff O’Neill as Leafs players to wear No. 92.
Nansi earns praise after scrimmage goal
McKenna played the scrimmage with Rogle centre Tinus Luc Koblar, a second-round pick at No. 64 overall, and Owen Sound Attack forward Harry Nansi, a fifth-round pick at No. 153 overall.
Nansi said McKenna sees the ice well and gets the puck to open teammates. Nansi, listed at 6-foot-3 and 179 pounds, scored in the scrimmage and drew a strong review from Wickenheiser.
Wickenheiser called Nansi the Leafs’ most improved prospect and said his physical gifts are clear, though she noted he can still take more plays directly to the net. Nansi credited skating work with Leafs consultant Paul Matheson for helping him become more stable in puck battles and harder to knock down in the corners.
Nansi was knocked over by Notre Dame winger William Belle in the final seconds, leading to an empty-net goal. Nansi smiled afterward and said Belle had told him before the game he would try to find him.