Gavin McKenna met with Auston Matthews over the summer. The last two first-overall picks of the Toronto Maple Leafs got together on the ice and off the ice. McKenna describes how that went.
At the Toronto Maple Leafs' evaluation camp with their roster for the 2026 Prospects Challenge in Gatineau, Que., Gavin McKenna described what it was like meeting Auston Matthews over the summer.
McKenna and Matthews were able to share the ice at some point this off-season.
"He's unreal," McKenna said of Matthews. "He's fun to watch, super smart, and obviously he's got that release. So we kind of want to give him the puck when he's open and, you know, hope you get an assist."
Beyond the early connections on the ice, the Maple Leafs captain also invited the rookie to his place for dinner, and he has felt welcomed by the entire team.
"I went over for dinner one night with him and getting close with him and trying to get close with the guys," Toronto's 2026 first overall pick said. "I think once you're in that locker room, it's pretty easy to block out all the noise. So just getting comfortable with those guys. And they've all been very welcoming of me. And I've appreciated it very much out of every single one of them.
"To be at his house, it was pretty special. And for him to invite me over and, you know, just kind of sit down and talk with him and hang out. It was pretty special. That's just the type of leader he is. He knows I'm a young guy and he's trying to welcome me in. So it's special for him to do that, and I appreciate it," McKenna added.
Getting a taste of what it would be like to play alongside the franchise's all-time leading goal-scorer, it came across McKenna's mind as to what that could look like in the upcoming regular season.
"To play with a player like that, of that caliber, it would be pretty special," McKenna admitted. "I think we would suit each other pretty well. And, him being an older veteran guy, I think I can learn a lot from him. Being the captain, (I've got) a lot to learn from him. He's an amazing player, and if I get that opportunity, I'm not going to try and waste it."
With some time to hang around some of the pros, including his session in Muskoka with several NHL superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, he was surprised by how smart all those players are.
"Every single guy out there is going to find you in those spots," he said. "So just kind of always being ready, and I think I fit in well, and I think that's my type of game is smart hockey. So learning how to read off these guys and play with them, it's been fun, and I'm looking forward to the adjustment."
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