Gavin McKenna has the exact character the Maple Leafs have been searching for since the Sundin era
Medicine Hat Tigers GM and head coach Willie Desjardins praised Gavin McKenna's mentality and how he manages to elevate his teammates even on the bench.
If there is anyone who knows Gavin McKenna, it's former Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings head coach Willie Desjardins. Now GM and head coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, he's found himself part of a team that has some serious bite to it.
McKenna's teammate first attitude is exactly the personality the Toronto Maple Leafs need
But one name that made a huge statement for Desjardins was of course, Gavin McKenna. The presumed #1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is someone who has such a wealth of talent and potential that the future isn't only bright - it's damn near blinding.
He saw him come up through the ranks after drafting him #1 overall in the WHL Draft, and for Desjardins he put in some monstrous seasons. But beyond the offence lay something much more important for the head coach:
His vision is incredible. I worked with a lot of good players and he's up there with them. He also has great stick which is good offensively and defensively and I think his drive to become great, like he wants to be a great player not just average.
He loves winning. He cheers for his teammates, he really cheers for them. He's excited for them and that's the type of person you want in your organization; someone who cheers for the other guys. I like that he's driven. I like that he wants to be the best.
He loves winning. He cheers for his teammates, he really cheers for them. He's excited for them and that's the type of person you want in your organization; someone who cheers for the other guys. I like that he's driven. I like that he wants to be the best.
It's very rare you see someone celebrate so wholeheartedly for their team, and you could point to the biggest fracture being the team's lack of a response on ice when John Tavares scored his 500th career goal.
Desjardins pointed to McKenna's vision which has been well-documented but it's the good-hearted nature and his ability to put aside his ego for the sake of the team.
McKenna's attitude could turn Toronto's locker room into a close-knit brotherhood
If a player were to have a bad game, say no points and a minus-2, one might ignore the rest of the team's accomplishments, especially if they hold themselves to such a high degree as McKenna does.
No, instead he manages to put aside all things good and bad for the sake of the team. A guy hits a milestone? McKenna is one of the first guys on the ice.
As good as he is, he's smart enough to understand how much the team plays a role in his success and the more you can motivate and appreciate your teammates - the more you'll be rewarded.
But this is the type of person you want on the Maple Leafs. Not only someone who isn't afraid to show emotion but also someone who revels in his teammates accomplishments. He's someone who will celebrate a goal scored by Auston Matthews just as much as one scored by Simon Benoit; equality rules.
It's the mantra of treating the janitor the same as you would the CEO. Plus, if McKenna and the rest of the team can rally around each other and find the positives to look at instead of negatives then losses may not hurt as much.
If the team is honest about their losses but understand the positives and prove they are working on them, then if there are issues with a losing streak or a slump afoot it's not the end of the world and players don't need to feel sorry for themselves.
Hockey is as much physically demanding as it is mentally. Having a teammate who is willing to fight for you, do whatever it takes to win, but also take the time to recognize your accomplishments is certainly rare.
But it sounds like Gavin McKenna is that guy, and if Mats Sundin, John Chayka and the Maple Leafs want to change the culture then drafting him at #1 is a great way to do it.
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