Gavin McKenna breaks his silence on his living situation with John Tavares

The No. 1 overall pick has been living with veteran captain John Tavares since the summer, and McKenna says the arrangement has been exactly what he needed.

The 18-year-old spent time at the Tavares family's Muskoka property before settling into the household full time, giving him an early look at how a seasoned NHL pro manages his routine away from the rink.

McKenna pointed to Tavares' discipline off the ice as one of the biggest lessons so far.

He mentioned the recovery equipment Tavares keeps at home and the attention paid to nutrition, habits McKenna credits for helping Tavares play a full 82-game slate last season.

For a teenager adjusting to the pressure of playing in Canada's biggest hockey market, having that example close by has made the transition smoother than expected.

Tavares has hosted young Leafs before, including Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, and McKenna is the latest to benefit from that mentorship.

With training camp approaching, the living situation gives McKenna a support system built in, something the Leafs hope translates into a calmer, more focused rookie campaign as he chases a spot in the team's top six.

For McKenna, the timing could not be better. With training camp opening in a matter of weeks, every extra rep of stability off the ice matters as he prepares to handle heavier media scrutiny than most rookies ever face.

Tavares has been through that spotlight before, and passing along those lessons now could pay off once the games start counting.

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