As a freshman at Penn State, McKenna finished tied for fifth in the NCAA with 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) and was second with 1.46 points per game in 35 games. He’s expected to be the first men’s ice hockey player from Penn State to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft. Forward Charlie Cerrato, chosen by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (No. 49) last year, is the highest-drafted player in the program’s history.
He’s hoping to be the first name announced.
“It’d be an honor,” McKenna said. “As a kid, that’s what you dream of. Being a Canadian kid, going to a Canadian market would be pretty special. I think, obviously, the situation the Maple Leafs are in right now, it’s pretty crazy that they got the first overall pick.”
Toronto won the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5 despite having the fifth-best odds (8.5 percent) and would pick No. 1 for the third time.
“Their team is probably going to be fighting for the Stanley Cup Playoffs next year, so I’d be pretty fortunate to go there,” McKenna said. “Whether I do go there or not, I’m getting drafted into the NHL, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”
Stenberg had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, the most points in a season by an 18-year-old SHL player since Daniel Sedin (42) and Henrik Sedin (34) in 1998-99.
The 18-year-old, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of International skaters, would be honored to be chosen by the Maple Leafs, a franchise with a long tradition of prominent Sweden-born players.
“It’d just be super fun,” Stenberg said. “They’re a good team, good organization. I know (defenseman) Oliver Ekman-Larsson pretty good so would be fun to play with him.”