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NHL·ANALYSIS·October 11, 2026 08:36 AM ET

Gavin McKenna sets NHL speed record for 18-year-olds

Rookie forward reached 23.34 mph in Toronto's 6-3 victory

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 46m1 min read
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What happened: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna reached a skating speed of 23.34 mph to set a new league benchmark. The burst stands as the fastest by an 18-year-old since the NHL introduced tracking data in 2021-22. McKenna also scored his first career goal in Toronto's 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Why it matters: The top-end speed demonstrates a concrete physical tool for the rookie as he transitions to the professional level. McKenna, who moved to the third line earlier this week, is contributing across multiple phases of the game. The Maple Leafs are integrating him into their regular rotation following his recent promotion.

By the numbers: Toronto improved to 7-11 on the season following the final result, while Colorado dropped to 15-13.

What to watch: The Maple Leafs will attempt to capitalize on McKenna's expanding role as the regular season schedule continues.

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