Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna Reveals Another Strength To His Game, Breaking NHL Speed Records Among 18-Year-Olds

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna has demonstrated elite skating ability, recently hitting a top speed of 23.34 miles per hour during a contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. This performance marks the highest velocity recorded by an 18-year-old since the league began tracking such metrics in 2021-22, surpassing previous benchmarks set by Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer.

McKenna currently holds a share of the lead in rookie scoring with four points through six appearances, having contributed assists in recent outings against Vegas and the Colorado Avalanche. Head coach Jim Hiller noted that the teenager's straight-line speed has been a surprising and impactful element of his early professional development.

Meanwhile, team captain Auston Matthews is also showing signs of returning to peak form after hitting notable speeds during a pre-season matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.

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