Gavin McKenna (72) skates against the Clarkson Golden Knights during the second period at Pegula Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Gavin McKenna (72) skates against the Clarkson Golden Knights during the second period at Pegula Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs' top overall pick, Gavin McKenna, is prepared to give up his jersey number. He has worn the same number throughout his young career but is only sacrificing it out of respect for veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
McKenna, who wore No. 72 throughout his junior career and at Penn State, said he does not expect to keep the number. This was right after the Maple Leafs signed Bobrovsky to a three-year contract in free agency.
"Probably not," said McKenna when reporters asked him whether he would be wearing No.72 as posted by the Leafs' official YouTube channel.
McKenna first skated with the Maple Leafs at development camp wearing No. 72, but was open to the fact that it would likely change soon. When he was asked whether he expected to keep No. 72, McKenna replied respectfully.
January 5, 2026, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States: Canada forward GAVIN McKENNA 9 reacts after scoring a goal in the third period. Canada and Finland faced off in the Bronze Medal match at the IIHF World Junior Championship on January 5th. Canada won the bronze by a score of 6-3. St. Paul United States - ZUMAt166 20260105_zsp_t166_017 Copyright: xMichaelxTurnerx
January 5, 2026, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States: Canada forward GAVIN McKENNA 9 reacts after scoring a goal in the third period. Canada and Finland faced off in the Bronze Medal match at the IIHF World Junior Championship on January 5th. Canada won the bronze by a score of 6-3. St. Paul United States - ZUMAt166 20260105_zsp_t166_017 Copyright: xMichaelxTurnerx
"Bob, he's won two Stanley Cups. If he wants that number, he's going to get that number," he added in the same interview.
McKenna admitted he has not yet decided what number he will wear instead.
"I don't know," he said. "My two other ones are taken. They're up in the rafters. So I'll have to think about it."
The other jersey numbers he preferred weren't available, as No. 9 has been retired to honor franchise icons Charlie Conacher and Ted Kennedy, while No. 27 is retired for Darryl Sittler and Frank Mahovlich.
McKenna enters as the No. 1 overall pick in Toronto as one of hockey's top young prospects. He played at Penn State during the 2025-26 season, scoring 51 points in 35 games. He also played with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL.
Gavin also helped to lead Canada to win a gold at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. He then earned a bronze medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship, cementing his reputation as one of the game's top young forwards.
While he arrives in Toronto with an impressive resume of his own, the move also serves as a tribute to Bobrovsky's legacy.
Bobrovsky's legacy behind the number
Bobrovsky's relation to the No. 72 is one of the longest-standing by one of the most decorated careers in the league.
Sergei arrived in Toronto after signing a three-year contract in free agency. He won the Stanley Cup championships two times with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025. He is also a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, and this trophy is awarded to the NHL's top goaltender. He spent more than a decade as one of the league's elite goaltenders.
In his career in the NHL, he played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and now the Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky has maintained excellent performance by maintaining the same form consistently throughout.
According to NHL.com, he became the NHL's 18th goalie to reach 800 games and the first Russian to accomplish the milestone, passing Nikolai Khabibulin's mark of 799.
With such a record in hand, McKenna's decision to step aside was the best thing he could do.
What do you think of McKenna's gesture? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar