Why Justin Bieber was the right pick to introduce Gavin McKenna to Maple Leafs fans

'The child in me is ecstatic right now,' pop star said

Published Jun 27, 2026  •  Last updated 17 minutes ago  •  4 minute read

Gavin McKenna and Justin Bieber look on after McKenna was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

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The NHL promised some celebrity surprises in Buffalo Friday night, and having Justin Bieber show up to announce Toronto’s selection with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft didn’t disappoint.

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Bieber, a self-proclaimed die-hard superfan of the Maple Leafs, helped kick off the festivities when he read aloud Gavin McKenna’s name inside Buffalo’s Key Bank Center.

“What’s going on Buffalo?” a smiling Bieber said he entered the arena. “What’s up Toronto?”

Justin Bieber makes his way to the stage at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

The pop star said he was excited to be part of “an incredible night.”

“Oh man, the child in me is ecstatic right now. I’ve been a Leafs fan since I was just a little boy,” Bieber beamed. “These nights are so special. I’m so grateful to be here.”

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Clad in red zip-up emblazoned with a Canadian flag, Bieber greeted NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and acknowledged the families of some of the other top picks as he made his way to the stage.

He and Bettman shared a word before making Toronto’s selection official.

“Mr. McKenna, we would like to draft you to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Bieber said.

Bieber then introduced Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who congratulated the 18-year-old Penn State forward on joining the team.

“I know how exciting this is for you and your family, and what an incredible honour it is,” Matthews said via video. “You’re coming to a franchise that has an amazing history and fanbase, and we’re all working to write the next great chapter together. You’re going to be a very important part of that.”

McKenna, who selected Bieber’s Yukon as his walk-up song in honour of his home province in northern Canada, is the first No. 1 pick by Toronto since the Maple Leafs selected Matthews in 2016. He’s only the third in franchise history, including Wendel Clark in 1985.

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Gavin McKenna and Justin Bieber were all smiles after the Toronto Maple Leafs selected McKenna first in the NHL Draft in Buffalo. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

Sportsnet’s Ailish Forfar asked Bieber if he was “manifesting a Yukon boy to your hometown team” when he wrote the song.

“Um, sure, yeah,” Bieber said laughing.

Bieber said it was “hard to put into words” how he felt that Toronto landed the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

“I know this guy is going to kill it,” he said, adding that he’s “absolutely” going to be at Maple Leafs games this year wearing McKenna’s jersey.

On social media, many Maple Leafs fans cheered on Bieber for being the one who got to announce the news.

One enthusiastic fan said the Beauty and a Beat singer gave McKenna a night to remember.

“Whatever you think about it, that’s a story McKenna will tell forever even when he is 60. One of the biggest artists to live announced your draft pick,” they wrote.

“Not a pop fan, but Biebs was the right call,” another wrote, with a third calling Bieber’s inclusion a “great idea.”

“JB has always been a great supporter and never ever forgets where he is from,” read one comment on Instagram.

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Bieber bleeds blue and white

Over the years, the Peaches hitmaker, who is pals with Matthews, has fearlessly cheered on Toronto on social media.

His 2021 song Hold On (a track he said was a “love letter to the Maple Leafs”) was dedicated to the group and he even co-designed one of the Leafs’ alternate “Next Gen” jerseys.

During the pandemic-shortened NHL season back in 2021, the London, Ont.-born musician took his devotion to a whole new level when he picked the Leafs to win the Stanley Cup.

Last year, he skipped out on the 2025 Met Gala in New York City to watch the Maple Leafs take on the Florida Panthers during the second round of that year’s NHL Playoffs.

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Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey enjoy a date night at Scotiabank Arena as they watch the Maple Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators. Photo by Justin Bieber /Instagram

During a family vacation with wife Hailey Bieber last summer, Bieber shared snaps of his son Jack Blues wearing a Matthews Maple Leafs jersey.

His unwavering fandom is exactly why Bieber – who is one of the world’s biggest music stars – was the right pick to introduce McKenna Friday night.

Unlike the Toronto Raptors’ global ambassador Drake, who was absent from his courtside seats for much of last year’s NBA season, Bieber relentlessly applauds the Buds, whether they’re winning or losing.

After a heartbreaking Game 7 loss against the Panthers during last year’s Playoffs, Bieber congratulated the team’s efforts – and promised Leafs Nation that the team can still be a winner.

“I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t been obsessed with the leafsssss,” he wrote on Instagram. “This year we made it farther than we have in so long and I’m happy about that. I can be patient cuz I know this is the team to do it.”

That’s exactly who you want leading your fanbase. This is a franchise that has chased a Stanley Cup for close to 60 years. Maple Leafs fans need “Beliebers” in their corner.

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