When the Toronto Maple Leafs made the first overall selection in this year’s NHL Draft, the league brought out one of the team’s most famous fans to deliver the news.
At the draft, held in Buffalo this year, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman let pop superstar Justin Bieber take the mic and reveal the pick.
‘I’ve been a Leafs fan since I was just a little boy,’ Bieber said while walking to the stage. ‘These nights are so special. I’m so grateful to be here.’
Then, he revealed that top star Gavin McKenna would be taken with the top pick.
‘Mr. McKenna, we’d like to draft you to the Toronto Maple Leafs!’ Bieber announced.
McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, chose the Bieber song ‘Yukon’ as a nod to his home as he walked to the stage.
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance at the NHL Draft in Buffalo
Bieber was on hand to announce that his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs picked Gavin McKenna
McKenna was the first-overall selection in this year’s draft and was honored by the league
‘To all the Yukoners out there, this song is for you,’ McKenna said in an interview after the pick was announced. ‘Thanks Justin.’
Bieber wasn’t the only star who congratulated McKenna on the selection to the team.
He received a video from his now-teammate and Maple Leafs captain, Auston Matthews, after the pick was made.
‘I know how exciting this is for you and your family, and what an incredible honor it is,’ Matthews said in the video.
‘Congratulations, we’re just as excited to have you join the Maple Leafs and cannot wait to get started.’
McKenna was a star in college at Penn State before being selected in the draft.
