The National Hockey League draft in June is set to be hosted by the Buffalo Sabres, according to an announcement made by commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday. The event will showcase highly sought-after prospect Gavin McKenna as its focal point. Bettman, alongside Sabres executives and team owner Terry Pegula, revealed the news during a press conference before the Sabres’ home game against the Florida Panthers.
Buffalo, known for its passionate sports fans and strong hockey tradition, has been selected to host the two-day draft on June 26-27. The format for this year will once again be decentralized, allowing prospects and their families to attend the draft while teams make their selections remotely from their home bases.
The draft will take place at the Sabres’ home arena, the KeyBank Center, a change from last year’s venue at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Buffalo has been a hub for NHL events, hosting the league’s pre-draft combine since 2015 and will welcome the top prospects once again this spring.
This will mark the fourth time that the Sabres have hosted the draft, making them the second-most frequent host after Montreal. The spotlight will be on Gavin McKenna, the Penn State freshman forward, who is widely projected to be the top pick in the 2026 draft. McKenna recently topped NHL Central Scouting’s midseason rankings of North American prospects, ahead of Keaton Verhoeff from North Dakota, while Ivar Stenberg leads the list of international players.
McKenna, hailed as a “generational talent,” decided to leave the Canadian Hockey League for Penn State, where he has excelled as a freshman. With impressive stats in his first college season, McKenna has proven his skills on the ice, standing out among NCAA freshmen.
Terry Pegula, a Penn State alum and a key figure in the university’s hockey program, expressed pride in McKenna’s achievements, highlighting the potential for more talented players to emerge from the region. McKenna’s success extends beyond college hockey, as he was a standout player in Medicine Hat and contributed significantly to Team Canada’s recent bronze medal win at the world junior championships.
McKenna’s journey from the CHL to NCAA hockey has been marked by exceptional performances and high expectations, making him a player to watch as the 2026 NHL draft approaches.