The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to introduce Gavin McKenna to one of the NHL’s most demanding markets, where expectations arrive long before the opening faceoff. As the first overall pick, McKenna enters a roster built to compete immediately rather than one focused on resurrecting a franchise.
This environment offers opportunities as well as pressure, making the guidance of players who have already navigated the jump especially valuable. With that transition in mind, Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston recently shared the approach he believes can help the young winger settle into the league.
Wyatt Johnston Shares Advice for Maple Leafs Rookie Gavin McKenna
Johnston knows the attention that comes with playing hockey in Toronto, even if his NHL career has unfolded elsewhere.
The Toronto native appeared on the Leafs Morning Take podcast and offered advice to Maple Leafs rookie McKenna, focusing less on production and more on building habits that last. He encouraged the 18-year-old to embrace every learning opportunity available once he reaches the NHL, because the adjustment goes well beyond what happens during games.
“My advice, based on my experience, would just be to be a sponge,” Johnston said. “It’s a lot different than, for me, playing junior, and I guess for him, playing college hockey. There are so many guys in Toronto that he can learn from.”
He added that the early years of a career should be spent absorbing as much information as possible from experienced teammates and the organization’s support system.
“The biggest thing for me, and I think the thing I tried to do in my first couple of years, was just be a sponge and learn as much as you can,” Johnston continued. “Learn what it takes on and off the ice, and use all the resources. I think that’s super important.”
The advice fits McKenna’s situation.
After starring at Penn State and building an impressive junior resume with the Medicine Hat Tigers, he now joins a veteran Maple Leafs team expected to contend. Rather than carrying a rebuilding franchise, he steps into a locker room led by players such as Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares, giving him experienced voices to lean on from the beginning.
Johnston also stressed that confidence becomes just as important as preparation once the puck drops. He acknowledged that the physical jump to the NHL can be intimidating, but he believes McKenna already possesses the talent needed to succeed.
“Also, just try to trust yourself,” Johnston said. “Obviously, you’re playing against bigger, stronger men, and the level of hockey is so high. It makes it so much fun, but at the same time, you need to trust yourself.”
He closed by reminding McKenna not to change the style that made him the top selection in the draft.
“For me, it was all about trusting myself,” Johnston said. “Obviously, he’s a very special player, and he has all the tools. So it’s really just about trusting that and playing your game.”
McKenna has already embraced Toronto’s competitive outlook, saying he feels fortunate to join a franchise with championship ambitions instead of a rebuilding team.
“It’s very fortunate for me to go to a team that’s hungry and in that winning environment,” McKenna said. “It’s pretty common that players who get drafted first overall go to a team that’s tanking, and that’s not the case for me. I know I’ve gotten lucky.”
McKenna’s summer preparation has included training alongside Macklin Celebrini while also leaning on Matthews for guidance as he prepares for his NHL debut.
