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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- With most of Yukon watching and a loud presence of Maple Leafs fans in the stands, Toronto selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.
The 18-year-old McKenna is from Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse and has been a prolific scorer on both sides of the border, with his selection validating the projections of the left winger being his age group’s top prospect more than two years ago.
McKenna’s selection was announced by longtime Leafs fan and Canadian-born international pop icon Justin Bieber.
“I got no words right now,” McKenna said. “This is nuts. Obviously I want to start by thanking my family. I love you guys. I wouldn’t be here without you guys.”
The San Jose Sharks took Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick.
The first 10 picks:
1. Toronto, Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn St.
2. San Jose, Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (Sweden).
3. Vancouver, Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL).
4. Buffalo (from Chicago), Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL).
5. N.Y. Rangers, Alberts Smits, D, Munchen (Germany).
6. Calgary, Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL).
7. Seattle, Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).
8. Winnipeg, Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (Sweden).
9. San Jose (from Florida via Ottawa), Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota.
10. Nashville, Wyatt Cullen, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP).
NHL draft by team:
Anaheim Ducks
1. (15) Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw (OHL).
1. (28) Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden-Jr.).
Boston Bruins
No First Round selection
Buffalo Sabres
1. (4) Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL).
1. (20) Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (Ohio).
Calgary Flames
1. (6) Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL).
1. (30) Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown (USHL).
Carolina Hurricanes
No First Round selection
Chicago Blackhawks
No First Round selection
Colorado Avalanche
No First Round selection
Columbus Blue Jackets
1. (14) Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College.
Dallas Stars
No First Round selection
Detroit Red Wings
1. (23) Jeffrey Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops (WHL).
Edmonton Oilers
No First Round selection
Florida Panthers
No First Round selection
Los Angeles Kings
1. (19) Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (Sweden-2).
Minnesota Wild
No First Round selection
Montreal Canadiens
1. (26) Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod Jr. (Russia-Jr.).
Nashville Predators
1. (10) Wyatt Cullen, LW, U.S. U18 (NTDP).
1. (31) Thomas Bleyl, D, Moncton (QMJHL).
New Jersey Devils
1. (12) Alexander Command, C, Orebro Jr. (Sweden-Jr.).
New York Islanders
1. (13) Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (Sweden).
New York Rangers
1. (5) Alberts Smits, D, Munchen (Germany).
Ottawa Senators
1. (25) Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, Leksand Jr. (Sweden-Jr.).
1. (32) Jaxon Cover, RW, London (OHL).
Philadelphia Flyers
1. (27) Maksim Sokolovskii, D, London (OHL).
Pittsburgh Penguins
1. (22) Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL).
San Jose Sharks
1. (2) Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (Sweden).
1. (9) Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota.
1. (21) Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL).
St. Louis Blues
1. (11) Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston U.
1. (16) Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL).
Seattle Kraken
1. (7) Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).
Tampa Bay Lightning
No First Round selection
Toronto Maple Leafs
1. (1) Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn St
Utah Mammoth
1. (17) Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL).
Vancouver Canucks
1. (3) Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL).
1. (24) Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL).
Vegas Golden Knights
1. (29) Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara (Finland).
Washington Capitals
1. (18) Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Finland).
Winnipeg Jets
1. (8) Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (Sweden).