The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft on three occasions.

In 1985, the franchise selected Wendel Clark as a defenceman at No. 1, courtesy of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

Clark remarkably transitioned into a physical left winger prior to his rookie NHL season. He later donned the captaincy for the Leafs, and is considered one of the club’s all time greats.

In 2016, the Buds took American centre Auston Matthews at the top of his draft class. Matthews burst on to the NHL scene on Oct. 12 that year, burying four goals in his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators.

Most recently, after winning the 2026 NHL draft lottery, the Leafs added left winger Gavin McKenna from Penn State University of the NCAA ranks.

The Yukon-born winger was the consensus top pick after notching 51 points in 35 NCAA games.

In 2024-25, the 5-foot-11........

© Peterborough Examiner