Justin Bieber brought the house down at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, announcing Penn State’s Gavin McKenna as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ No. 1 overall pick. McKenna then shared the excitement with Bieber, before moving from hockey’s biggest stage to a major-le
When Justin Bieber stepped into the spotlight at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Friday, June 26, it wasn’t just a celebrity sighting—it was a full-blown collision of pop culture and the NHL Draft.
Bieber, a longtime Toronto Maple Leafs fan, went on to announce the No. 1 overall pick during the 2026 NHL Draft ceremony. He pulled the crowd in immediately, saying, “What’s going on Buffalo?. What’s up Toronto?. The child in me is ecstatic right now. I’ve been a Leafs fan since I was a little boy. ” as the moment played out in front of hockey’s biggest audience.
The pick itself landed in the hands of Penn State’s Gavin McKenna. Bieber announced that McKenna had been drafted to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. Moments after the announcement. McKenna walked out to Bieber’s Grammy-nominated “Yukon. ” greeting the singer and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman as the ceremony rolled on.
Bieber didn’t just make the call and leave—he stayed close to the milestone. He joined McKenna during the rookie’s press interview and shared with the crowd how meaningful the moment was to him. “Being here is a dream,” Bieber told the audience.
Then Bieber made it personal for Leafs fans watching at home and in the building: after McKenna’s big night, the singer promised he plans to sport a McKenna jersey when the Maple Leafs play next season.
After the ceremony, McKenna described the experience in the blunt way people do when they’re still buzzing from it. “Just excitement,” he said. “Last night was a crazy night. I was so excited the whole night and just a lot of energy. but yeah. Toronto is an amazing place. They love their sports, love their hockey team and have so many passionate fans.”.
He added that the anticipation is already meeting him face-to-face. “I’m excited, and even when I’ve been in the city before I was drafted, people were coming up to me and asking for photos. I’m excited to meet all these people and get comfortable in the city.”
McKenna’s weekend didn’t slow down after the NHL Draft, either. On Saturday, June 27, he was introduced to MLB fans in Toronto when he threw the first pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays.
For Bieber, the NHL Draft moment came after another major crowd-pleaser. He had recently wrapped a headlining Coachella set back in April in support of his two albums: Swag and Swag 2. which he released last year. Fans are now watching to see what comes next on his side—he has yet to make an announcement about going on tour.
The through-line from Buffalo to Toronto is clear: Gavin McKenna went from being selected as the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 pick to stepping into a Blue Jays moment in less than 24 hours, while Justin Bieber made sure the announcement carried the kind of spotlight no draft prospect can forget.
Justin Bieber NHL Draft 2026 NHL Draft KeyBank Center Buffalo Toronto Maple Leafs Gavin McKenna Penn State Gary Bettman Toronto Blue Jays first pitch Yukon Coachella Swag Swag 2 Grammy-nominated
So Bieber picked the player? NHL basically bought by pop stars now lol
My cousin is a Leafs fan and she said this is HUGE but I don’t even get it, like did he actually choose McKenna or was it just an announcement thing. Either way Buffalo was probably loud as hell.
Wait the article says “Yukon”?? Is that a hockey chant or something. I’m confused because I thought NHL draft was boring and now it’s Bieber walking out and “promising a jersey” like that’s gonna help the salary cap or whatever.
This is kinda cool but also kinda cringe? Like yeah, Leafs fan since forever sure, but shouldn’t the focus be on the actual No. 1 pick. Also “what’s up Toronto” to Buffalo felt weird like… did they forget where they were?