Bobrovsky Explains Why He Stole Gavin McKenna’s Rookie Lap Moment

Sergei Bobrovsky has an explanation for stealing the spotlight from Gavin McKenna on the night of the young forward’s Maple Leafs debut: he simply forgot.

McKenna was set to take his traditional rookie lap, a first-game ritual in which a player skates out alone ahead of his teammates. Bobrovsky, however, hit the ice first, and the moment didn’t unfold the way McKenna or the Leafs had planned.

Sergei Bobrovsky addressed this today: "I just completely forgot. I didn't think about. I completely forgot. I came to him and I also told him. So I pretended that it was my first game too *jokes*. But no, I didn't mean to do that. So it just happened by incident (accident)." https://t.co/xMJAp0M7sK

— David Alter (@davidalter) October 2, 2026

David Alter of The Hockey News cited the goaltender’s comments when asked about what happened and why he came out first. Speaking about it on Friday, Bobrovsky said it was never intentional. “I just completely forgot. I didn’t think about it. I completely forgot. I came to him and I also told him. So I pretended that it was my first game too jokes. But no, I didn’t mean to do that. So it just happened by incident (accident).”

Bobrovsky quickly made it clear there was no malice behind it. This wasn’t about superstition, as many assumed. This wasn’t about him making sure he got his way over the rookie, which some also assumed, because he took the jersey number they both wore before the season started.

The mix-up did steal the thunder from McKenna’s night, which Bobrovsky found unfortunate. A rookie’s NHL debut is one of the most anticipated things in their hockey career. In Toronto, where McKenna is the first overall pick and everything is amplified, the rookie lap was a bit of a story.

No Hard Feelings Between Bobrovsky and McKenna

Bobrovsky’s response suggests the two have already put it behind them. With the veteran goaltender owning the mistake and keeping the tone light, it looks like a harmless slip rather than anything that will linger in the dressing room.

For McKenna, the focus now shifts to the games ahead and establishing himself at the NHL level. For Bobrovsky, it’s a funny story he’ll likely be reminded of for the rest of the season.

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