Maple Leafs' Bobrovsky Apologized To McKenna For Ruining 'Rookie Lap'

Sergei Bobrovsky admitted he didn't even realize Gavin McKenna was going for a rookie lap before Tuesday's season opener, and has since apologized to the former No.1 overall pick. 

Only in Toronto this would be blown out of proportion as several members of 'Leafs Nation' have been screaming from the rooftops at their new goaltender. “I pretended like it was my first game, too," stated Bobrovsky after Friday's practice.

Sergei Bobrovsky was so dialed in he still stepped onto the ice first as Gavin McKenna did his rookie lap. pic.twitter.com/2HZeZHmz22

— David Alter (@davidalter) September 29, 2026

Bobrovsky confirmed him and McKenna have since spoken about the incident, and as you can imagine, have put this behind themselves, and the team. The Maple Leafs have enough going on with distractions from the media, they don't need some made-up beef between vets and rookies on the club.

"I completely forgot. I came to him and told him so. So I pretended that it was my first game too." 😂

Sergei Bobrovsky on joining Gavin McKenna on the ice for his rookie lap. https://t.co/seelLfE72d pic.twitter.com/01BqJijtaW

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 2, 2026

Through two games, McKenna has yet to record a point and is seeing just over 15 minutes of ice-time on the Leafs second line, and second power-play unit. Bobrovsky's appeared in one game, which Toronto lost to the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener. They'll host the Ottawa Senators from Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.