Jim Hiller zeroed in on an early test for the Maple Leafs’ prized prospect. Gavin McKenna found himself in a tight space down low along the boards against hard-nosed, shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev. The No. 1 pick at June’s NHL draft was up to the challenge. “I saw him dance away and just do a nice little backhand sauce pass into space — that jumps out at you,” Hiller said after leading his first two on-ice sessions as Toronto’s head coach. “I thought Tanev was going to contain him … those are the things that you’re just standing there and you go, ‘OK, well that’s a high level.’ “That’s what he’s going to have to be able to do against veteran NHL defenceman when the real games start.” McKenna started his professional career on the left side of a forward line with John Tavares and William Nylander as the Maple Leafs hit the ice at training camp Thursday. Hiller declined to divulge where the talented 18-year-old would land in the lineup when he met the media less than 24 hours earlier. The curtain was lifted about thirty minutes into the first practice of 2026-27. “It feels good knowing that the (coaching) staff has confidence in me,” McKenna said. “Both super smart players, and with John, he’s a workhorse, and with Willie, he’s so skilled. “Just make my plays and try to get toward the net. Pucks will find me with those types of players.” The Whitehorse product had some other memorable moments in front of a large group of media and management onlookers, including the setup on a Tavares goal and a battle sequence against big-bodied forward Matthew Knies where the youngster ended up with just one glove — and the puck behind goaltender Anthony Stolarz. “The playmaking is elite,” Tavares said of the five-foot-11, 170-pound winger. “You can already see times when he gets out there and you think he doesn’t have much room … the puck control, the puck skills are off the charts. Even though he’s not the biggest guy, you can tell just how firm he is on his stick. “He’s got some of that natural hockey strength.” Toronto finished bottom of the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade in an ugly 2025-26 campaign before beating May’s lottery odds for the right to select McKenna, who’s living with Tavares and his family. The Canadian Hockey League’s player of the year in 2024-25 before spending last season in the NCAA at Penn State got a taste of NHL life as part of the Maple Leafs’ informal skates over the last few weeks. Thursday was a different experience. “A high pace and definitely a bit of a jump,” McKenna said. “The intensity just ramps up knowing that we’re coming so close to the season.” Nylander said he will be there to help his peach-fuzzed linemate navigate this first twirl around the league. “If he comes with questions, you answer them,” he said. “Maybe the odd time you see something that you would tell him, but just gotta let him play.” Hiller will be taking a similar approach. “Try to just let him be,” he said. “When I see what I’m seeing, there’s no reason for me to go in there and tell him to do something. He’s, day-by-day, adapted pretty naturally, so let’s just see him go. But I like where he’s at.” McKenna, meanwhile, knows nothing is set in stone one practice into his NHL journey. “We have so much talent,” he said. “I’ve got to earn that to stay there. Just trying to be the best I can for that first pre-season game and the next skate. “See what happens from there.” Standing out Hiller said 21-year-old winger Easton Cowan also made a mark on a line with off-season acquisitions Nick Paul and Colton Sissons. “He was everywhere,” Hiller said. “He’s got tremendous skill, but where he can help us best is be a puck hound, and then use that skill.” Switching sides Fans of both the Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators would have been excused for doing a double take when Daniel Alfredsson stepped on the ice sporting blue and white. The former Senators captain and assistant coach bolted the nation’s capital in July to take a job as Hiller’s associate behind the bench. “It’s different, but it’s exciting,” said Tavares, who grew up cheering for Toronto during a string of heated Battle of Ontario playoff series in the 2000s. “Heck of a career, hell of a competitor. Really excited to learn from him and have him impact the group.” Hiller said adding Alfredsson was a key component to his setup. “The past is the past,” he said. “A great player for Ottawa, but now he’s going to be a great coach for the Maple Leafs. “That’s all that really matters.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2026. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
