Maple Leafs release 2026 prospect challenge roster

The tournament will be taking place in Gatineau, Quebec, on Saturday and Sunday and will feature four teams – the Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators, and the Winnipeg Jets. The Maple Leafs’ prospects will play the Senators’ prospect at 6 pm eastern time on Saturday and the Jets’ prospects at 1 pm eastern on Sunday.

Highlighting the roster for the Maple Leafs’ rookie team is incoming first overall pick Gavin McKenna, who will be suiting up in a Maple Leafs uniform for game action for the first time since the team announced his name on June 26. McKenna is widely expected to step into a Maple Leafs lineup in desperate need of some more team offence and become a contributor instantly, so his debut against prospects of rival teams should command some attention from the fanbase.

Also suiting up for the Maple Leafs in the tournament are 2025 second-round pick Tinus Luc Koblar, who is expected to head back to Sweden after training camp, and 2024 second-round pick Ben Danford, who is preparing to begin his first full pro season with the Toronto Marlies. Other members of the 2026 NHL Draft class include second-round pick Alexander Bilecki, fourth-round pick goaltender Patriks Plumins, fifth-round pick Cooper Williams, and sixth-round pick Brody Pepoy.

Other notable names from previous draft classes include 2024 fifth-round pick Miroslav Holinka and 2025 third-round pick Tyler Hopkins. Noah Chadwick, Luke Haymes, and Borya Valis highlight players who have already spent a year with the Marlies.

Among the notable names who aren’t at the tournament due to commitments overseas or in the NCAA are 2026 second-round pick Ethan MacKenzie and third-round picks Zac Olsen and Mans Gudmundsson.

The Maple Leafs will begin training camp with media day on September 16 and open preseason with a split squad match against the Montreal Canadiens on September 19.