The Maple Leafs' most famous superfan and Auston Matthews’ close, personal friend helped usher in the franchise's next era Friday night in Buffalo. Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesJune 26, 2026 Updated 7:40 pm EDTGavin McKenna didn’t need a pop superstar to validate his status as hockey’s most anticipated prospect.But having Justin Bieber introduce him on NHL Draft night? That certainly didn’t hurt.The Toronto Maple Leafs’ most famous superfan and captain Auston Matthews’ close, personal friend helped usher in the franchise’s next era Friday night in Buffalo, giving McKenna a “Never Say Never” kind of welcome to the NHL as Leafs “Beliebers” soaked in every second of the moment.McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, walked out to Bieber’s song, “Yukon,” and Matthews also welcomed him to Toronto via video.
The moment Justin Bieber and the Toronto Maple Leafs made it official and drafted Gavin McKenna No. 1 in the 2026 NHL draft 👏 pic.twitter.com/CFuNKKCDTy
— ESPN (@espn) June 26, 2026It was a fitting pairing. Bieber, who has long worn his Maple Leafs fandom proudly — from sitting in the lower bowl at playoff games to donning Toronto sweaters on tour —welcomed the player many hope can help deliver the championship the franchise has chased for nearly six decades.Scouts believe McKenna has legitimate 100-point upside after a dominant second half of his freshman season at Penn State. The Leafs landed the coveted prospect after entering the draft lottery with just an 8.5 percent chance at the No. 1 pick before vaulting four spots in April’s lottery, setting the stage for one of the biggest moments in franchise history.
