Gavin McKenna will wear No. 92 for Jim Hiller's Maple Leafs after giving his preferred number to Sergei Bobrovsky.
McKenna originally wanted No. 72, but Toronto's newly signed goaltender has worn it throughout his NHL career.
Bobrovsky contacted the 18-year-old before the decision was finalized. McKenna said the two spoke by phone, making the conversation direct rather than leaving the number choice to management.
For McKenna, there wasn't much of a debate. He pointed to Bobrovsky's experience and two Stanley Cup championships while explaining why he stepped aside.
The first overall pick still found a personal link with No. 92. Toronto has retired No. 9 and No. 27, so McKenna combined elements of both numbers.
" “Nine and 27 are up in the rafters, and I wanted to have a little bit of both in there, so it's 92, with the nine replacing the seven,” McKenna said on Saturday as Leafs development camp at the Ford Performance Centre came to an end. "
Jeff O'Neill, Alexander Nylander and Igor Ozhiganov previously wore No. 92 for the Maple Leafs. McKenna now gets the chance to make it his own.
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Gavin McKenna just explained the decision that could shape his future
The number decision came as Toronto's development camp ended and McKenna signed his three-year entry-level contract. That agreement officially moved him from draft-night centrepiece to signed prospect.
He was selected first overall less than one week before putting pen to paper. McKenna described the contract as another major step after years of work toward an NHL opportunity.
His summer preparation is already drawing attention. McKenna was spotted skating in Vancouver with Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson during an informal session.
Those workouts don't determine an opening-night roster spot, but the level of competition matters. McKenna is testing his pace and decisions against young players already viewed as major pieces for their clubs.
The footage also gave Maple Leafs fans an early look at how seriously he's approaching the jump. Summer skates offer less structure than NHL games, yet they can still sharpen timing, puck control and conditioning.
Hiller will eventually decide where McKenna fits when camp begins. The teenager will need to show that his skill can hold up against stronger defenders and tighter coverage.
For now, the transition is moving quickly. McKenna has his contract, his jersey number and a growing group of NHL peers around him as Toronto prepares its top prospect for the next stage.
Source : Why Gavin McKenna decided to wear No. 92 for the Maple Leafs
Will Gavin McKenna make the Maple Leafs roster immediately?
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