Gavin McKenna’s first NHL night came with the full family soundtrack at Scotiabank Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie made his debut in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, while his mother, Krystal, watched from rinkside in a No. 92 jersey.
- McKenna played his first NHL game for Toronto against Montreal on Tuesday.
- The rookie was the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.
- Krystal McKenna stood along the glass with a daughter, relatives and friends for his warmup and rookie lap.
- Seeing her son on NHL ice, Krystal said: “What the hell, my son is in the NHL. It’s wild.”
- She became emotional during warmups and joked about his appearance: “Oh my God, it’s so crazy. He’s like a Ken doll.”
- McKenna’s former Penn State teammates joined his mother for a selfie through the glass.
- During player introductions, McKenna let out a quick “Woohoo” before settling into the first period.
What it means for the next game
No next Maple Leafs game was listed. For McKenna, the opener delivered the milestone: first NHL lap, first introductions and his first shift in Toronto colours, with his family close enough to share it through the glass.
