Leafs’ Gavin McKenna throws first pitch at Blue Jays game

Just a day after getting selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Gavin McKenna is already taking center stage in the Toronto sports world.

On Saturday, McKenna threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Toronto Blue Jays’ home game against the Texas Rangers.

During his introductory press conference earlier on Saturday, McKenna mentioned he would be attending the Blue Jays game, but didn’t let slip that he’d be throwing the first pitch.

“I’m going to the Jays game tonight,” McKenna said. “I’ve never been to a baseball game. I’m obviously a Blue Jays fan so I’m looking forward to that.”

McKenna is the first Leafs player to throw the first pitch at a Blue Jays game since star center Auston Matthews in 2022.

From getting announced as the Leafs’ pick by pop star Justin Bieber on Friday, to throwing the first pitch at a Blue Jays game on Saturday, McKenna seems to be embracing the celebrity status that comes with being a first-overall draft choice for the Maple Leafs.

The Whitehorse, Yukon native may have been raised away from the bright lights of the big city, but he has been under a microscope in the hockey world ever since he was selected first overall at the age of 14 by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft. The spotlight on him only grew brighter as he dominated the WHL and eventually made the move to Penn State of the NCAA for the 2025-26 season.

McKenna has never shown a penchant to shy away from attention, which should be a valuable trait entering the pressurized media market of Toronto.

Toronto draft picks have now thrown the first pitch at a Blue Jays game in back-to-back days, as Toronto Raptors first-round pick Allen Graves was given the honor on Friday.