It appears Sergei Bobrovsky will wear No. 72 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, not Gavin McKenna.
Speaking with the media on Friday, Bobrovsky said that he had a chat with the Leafs’ No. 1 overall pick and that McKenna gave their shared number to the veteran goaltender.
“He gave that number to me. We had a little chat last night. He’s a bright guy. He’s got really positive energy. I’m excited to watch him develop into a big superstar in this league,” Bobrovsky said.
The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon wore No. 72 during his junior career with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and his one season with the NCAA’s Penn State Nittany Lions.
The 37-year-old Bobrovsky, who is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and likely headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame after his playing days are finished, has also worn No. 72 for most of his career.
During the opening day of Toronto’s development camp on Thursday, McKenna said he has no problem with giving up his number to Bobrovsky if the veteran goaltender wants it.
“Probably not, probably not,” when asked if he think he’ll wear No. 72 in his debut season. “Bob, he has won two Stanley Cups. If he wants that number, he is going to get that number.”
McKenna might have to get creative to find a new number as his backup choices - No. 27 and No. 9 - are both already retired by the Maple Leafs.
No. 27 was worn by Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler while No. 9 was worn by Charlie Conacher and Ted Kennedy.
McKenna scored 15 goals and 36 assists over 35 games during his lone season with Penn State in 2025-26 following a prolific three-year run in the WHL with the Tigers, highlighted by scoring 41 goals with 88 assists over 56 games in 2024-25. He added nine goals and 29 assists over 16 playoff games as McKenna led Medicine Hat to the WHL league title that season.
Bobrovsky is set to enter his 17th season in the NHL and is coming off a seven-year run with the Florida Panthers where he led the franchise to three Stanley Cup Final appearances, including victories in 2024 and 2025.
The Russian posted a 3.07 goals-against average and career-low .877 save percentage over 52 games in 2025-26.
Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie in 2013 and 2017, both with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
