NHL’s first overall pick Gavin McKenna performs ceremonial first pitch

Published Jun 27, 2026  •  Last updated 4 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

NHL Draft first overall pick Gavin McKenna of the Toronto Maple Leafs throws a ceremonial first pitch ahead of the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre on June 27, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

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Baseball’s ceremonial first pitch had a different feel Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays were about to play host to the Texas Rangers.

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Fresh off his big night in Buffalo where Gavin McKenna went first overall in the NHL entry draft to the Maple Leafs, the kid from Whitehorse, Yukon performed the honours of tossing the first pitch.

The reception, not surprisingly, was very loud and appreciative from the fans.

Accompanied by the Jays’ mascot, McKenna generated an immediate buzz as he made toward the mound area.

Wearing a Jays’ jersey with the No. 26 emblazoned on the back, McKenna threw the ball to home plate with George Springer, an avid hockey fan of the Hartford Whalers, serving as catcher.

Once he caught the ball, the veteran walked toward the mound and met McKenna half-way.

The two exchanged smiles and posed for pictures.

Springer autographed the baseball for McKenna, who told reporters at his introductory press conference earlier in Toronto he had never attended a baseball game.

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Perhaps fittingly, knowing the Jays’ starting pitching has been off target, the kid threw a ball that was high and outside the zone.

At least the pitch made it to the plate, where Springer dutifully caught it.

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Seeing that McKenna was drafted in Buffalo and knowing first-time all-star Ernie Clement is a huge supporter of the Sabres having grown up in Rochester, it may have made more sense to have Clement behind the plate and not Springer.

Springer has seniority and his love of the Whalers also made him a candidate to perform the catching duties.

For the uninitiated, the DH fashioned a renaissance season in 2025 in helping the Blue Jays reach the World Series.

As a homage to his childhood hockey team, he wore batting gloves with the classic green and blue Whalers colors.

Springer, a native of Connecticut, often attended home games.

His tribute to the hockey club caught the attention of many, including those in the hockey industry, leading to Springer’s gear being displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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As for McKenna, Saturday’s introduction in front of a baseball audience seemed to take the kid by surprise.

He’ll get accustomed to the spotlight because he’ll have no choice.

Springer seemed to get a kick out of the ceremonial first pitch because he broke into a big smile when he met McKenna prior to signing the baseball.

Springer is twice as old as the 18-year-old McKenna.

For that moment, he was more of a kid than McKenna.

Introduced to the hockey world by Justin Bieber Friday night, McKenna was introduced to Toronto’s baseball audience by Springer, a former World Series MVP who is in the final year of his six-year contract with the Blue Jays.

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