Toronto Maple Leafs' first-overall NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna experienced a challenging start to his tenure with the team during a ceremonial first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game. The event took place less than 24 hours after McKenna was selected in the 2026 NHL Draft.
McKenna, who was the top prospect for the 2026 draft class and played one season at Penn State, took the mound at Rogers Centre to a warm reception from the home crowd. However, his attempt at a ceremonial first pitch did not go as planned. Following the pitch, McKenna admitted, "It was a tough throw. Wasn't proud of that."
The Maple Leafs are expecting McKenna to contribute to a team that faced significant challenges last season. His prowess on the ice is well-documented, but his first pitch performance highlighted a different kind of pressure associated with playing for a major Toronto sports franchise.