Gavin McKenna’s entry into the National Hockey League on Tuesday night ended without a point as the Toronto Maple Leafs fell 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens. McKenna, the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, faces considerable expectations following in the footsteps of Matthew Schaefer, the reigning Calder Trophy winner and the 2025 first overall draft pick by the New York Islanders.
Schaefer’s rookie season was marked by significant achievements, including 59 points over 82 games and becoming the second-youngest player to win the NHL’s rookie of the year award by unanimous vote. He also emerged as a strong candidate for Canada’s Olympic team, narrowly missing selection for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
The two top draft picks met Wednesday night in Toronto when the Maple Leafs hosted the Islanders. Their connection dates back to 2023, when they first crossed paths on Canadian age-group teams. They notably combined for Canada’s opening goal at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa.
Schaefer offered praise for McKenna’s character and potential, calling him “a great kid” and “an even greater person,” while expressing confidence in his future success with the Maple Leafs.
Both players have found support by sharing living arrangements with veteran teammates as they adjust to professional life. McKenna is rooming with linemate John Tavares, while Schaefer spent his rookie season living with former Islander Matt Martin, who transitioned to a front-office role after retiring last year. Schaefer credited this arrangement with providing essential personal support during the challenging transition to the NHL.
“It’ll help so much,” Schaefer said, noting the importance of having a stable living environment away from home. He described himself as “a big family guy” who benefited from Martin’s mentorship and companionship.
Despite being only 19 years old, Schaefer was named an alternate captain for the Islanders this season, the youngest in franchise history to wear a letter. Heading into his sophomore campaign, he stands just 41 points short of joining Phil Housley as one of two NHL defensemen to record 100 points before turning 20.
Schaefer’s experience offers a benchmark for McKenna as he begins his professional journey, even though his first NHL game did not yield immediate offensive results. The coming weeks will reveal whether McKenna can approximate the rapid development that made Schaefer a standout rookie and emerging leader in the league.