Edmonton Oilers · #97 · Center
CONNORMcDAVID
Generational. A name that now sits alongside Gretzky and Lemieux as a single-word argument. Born in Richmond Hill. Made in Erie. Drafted in Sunrise. Carrying Edmonton back to hockey's top table.
Chapter 01
The Kid from Richmond Hill
Connor Andrew McDavid was born on January 13, 1997, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and grew up in nearby Newmarket. He began skating at age three — on rollerblades in his family's basement — and was enrolled in organized hockey the following year. His parents, Brian and Kelly McDavid, famously told the local hockey association their four-year-old was five, the minimum age to register.
Brian McDavid, a lifelong Boston Bruins fan who played high school hockey, coached Connor's minor hockey teams and was instrumental in his development. Kelly McDavid played one year of recreational hockey as a child before turning to skiing. When the Newmarket hockey association refused to let six-year-old Connor play above his age group, Brian and Kelly enrolled him in a program in Aurora, Ontario, where he competed against nine-year-olds.
Connor's older brother Cameron played junior hockey with the Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL, 2009–2011) before retiring from competitive hockey. Cameron now serves as Vice-President at DW Healthcare Partners, a Toronto-based private equity firm, and married Sarah Nanacsik in 2025.
Growing up, Connor was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan whose favorite player was Sidney Crosby. He attended PEAC, a private school in Toronto, and later McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania while playing for the OHL's Erie Otters.
Playing for the York Simcoe Express from roughly age 6 through 2011, Connor won four Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships under his father's coaching. In 2011, he joined the Toronto Marlboros of the GTHL, where he scored 33 goals and 39 assists in 33 games and was named GTHL Player of the Year. He won the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as OHL Cup MVP in 2012.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
March 2012
Hockey Canada grants Connor McDavid Exceptional Player Status — the third player ever to receive it in the OHL, after John Tavares (2005) and Aaron Ekblad (2011). He can now enter the OHL draft at age 15.
Chapter 02 · The Making of 97
Erie
Selected 1st overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection (earning the Jack Ferguson Award), McDavid scored his first OHL goal on September 21, 2012, in an 8–2 loss to the London Knights. Even legends start with a loss.
As a rookie, he set Otters franchise records for rookie assists and points, breaking Tim Connolly's 62-point mark. By his final OHL season (2014–15), he was the Otters' captain and utterly dominant: 120 points in just 47 games — a staggering 2.55 points per game. He had at least one point in all but two games that season.
His path wasn't without adversity. On November 11, 2014, he broke his hand in a fight with Bryson Cianfrone of Mississauga and missed six weeks. The Otters reached the OHL championship series but lost to the Oshawa Generals in five games.
OHL Regular Season
| Season | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | 63 | 25 | 41 | 66 |
| 2013–14 | 56 | 28 | 71 | 99 |
| 2014–15 | 47 | 44 | 76 | 120 |
| Totals | 166 | 97 | 188 | 285 |
OHL Playoffs
| Season | GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | 14 | 4 | 15 | 19 |
| 2014–15 | 20 | 21 | 28 | 49 |
| Totals | 34 | 25 | 43 | 68 |
Junior Honors
June 26, 2015 · BB&T Center · Sunrise, Florida
"With the first pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select… Connor McDavid."
The most anticipated draft pick since Sidney Crosby in 2005. The Oilers — mired in a decade-long playoff drought, winners of the draft lottery for the fourth time in six years — finally had their franchise player.
Chapter 03 · Rookie Year
The Arrival
October 8, 2015
NHL Debut vs. St. Louis Blues
McDavid's first NHL game at Scottrade Center. No points, minus-1, barely registered a shot until the third period. Edmonton lost 3–1. Coach Todd McLellan: “We're talking 60 minutes into a 15-, 20-year career.”
October 13, 2015
First NHL Goal vs. Dallas Stars
In his third career game, McDavid scored at 12:18 of the second period — a deflection of an Andrej Sekera point shot past Kari Lehtonen. Like Gretzky and Crosby before him, he scored his first NHL goal in his third career game.
November 3, 2015
The Collarbone
Crashing into the boards at high speed, McDavid fractured his left clavicle. He missed approximately three months and 37 games. Despite the shortened rookie season, he finished with 48 points in 45 games, earned a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, and was a Calder Trophy finalist.
October 5, 2016
The Captain
At 19 years and 266 days old, Connor McDavid became the youngest captain in NHL history, surpassing Gabriel Landeskog by 20 days. He later wrote in The Players' Tribune: “I really gotta move out of my parents' house now.”
Chapter 06 · Dominating the NHL
The Takeover
What followed was the most dominant stretch of individual excellence the NHL has seen since Gretzky and Lemieux. Season after season, the numbers climbed. Record after record fell.
2016–17 · Age 20
The Arrival
82 GP · 30 G · 70 A
First Art Ross Trophy. First Hart Trophy. First Ted Lindsay Award. First All-Star Team. The Oilers snapped a 10-year playoff drought, finishing 47–26–9. McDavid became the second-youngest Art Ross winner ever, after a 19-year-old Crosby.
2017–18 · Age 21
Back-to-Back
82 GP · 41 G · 67 A
Second consecutive Art Ross Trophy — the first back-to-back winner since Jaromír Jágr (2000–01). Second Ted Lindsay Award. 41 goals showed a maturing scoring threat.
2018–19 · Age 22
The Complete Player
78 GP · 41 G · 75 A
Third 100-point season. Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team. 27 game-winning goals through his age-22 season — an NHL record pace.
2019–20 · Age 23
The Shortened Season
64 GP · 34 G · 63 A
On pace for 124 points when COVID-19 halted the season. In the bubble playoffs, the Oilers lost 3–1 to Chicago in the qualifying round, but McDavid scored 5 goals and 9 points in just 4 games.
2020–21 · Age 24
Unanimous
56 GP · 33 G · 72 A
100 points in 53 games — the fastest since Lemieux in 1995–96. Unanimous Hart Trophy winner — only the second in NHL history after Gretzky in 1982. Fourth Art Ross. Third Ted Lindsay.
2021–22 · Age 25
The Playoff Beast Awakens
80 GP · 44 G · 79 A
His fifth 100-point season. In the playoffs, Edmonton made a deep run to the Western Conference Final before being swept by eventual Cup champion Colorado. McDavid had 33 points (10G, 23A) in 16 playoff games.
February 2, 2022 · Washington
Mid-Takeover.
Caught at Capital One Arena in the middle of the 2021–22 campaign — 123 points, Western Conference Final bound. The season before the season that broke the record book.
Photo: All-Pro Reels · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons · cropped & resized
2022–23 · Age 26 · The 153-Point Season
Art Ross. Hart. Ted Lindsay. Rocket Richard.
The highest-scoring season in 27 years. The first 150-point campaign since Lemieux in 1995–96. The fourth-highest single-season point total in NHL history — behind only Gretzky, Lemieux, and Yzerman (155 in 1988–89). He swept ALL FOUR major awards: Art Ross, Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Rocket Richard. Only the fourth player with 60+ goals and 80+ assists in a single season.
2023–24 · Age 27
The Playmaker
76 GP · 32 G · 100 A
100 assists — only the fourth player in NHL history to reach triple digits in assists, joining Gretzky, Lemieux, and Bobby Orr. Sixth 100-point season. But this season's story was written in the playoffs…
2024–25 · Age 28
The Milestone Year
67 GP · 26 G · 74 A
His eighth 100-point season. Reached his 1,000th career NHL point on November 14, 2024 — the 4th-fastest player in NHL history (659 games), behind only Gretzky (424), Lemieux (513), and Bossy (656).
2025–26 · Age 29Live
The Current Chapter
80 GP · 47 G · 86 A · (2 games remaining)
Chasing a second 50-goal season. Leading the Art Ross race. A 20-game point streak from December 4, 2025 through late January 2026 (19G, 23A, 42 PTS) — the longest by an Oiler since Gretzky's 39-game streak in 1985–86. On April 8, recorded his 15th career hat trick (3G, 2A) in a 5–2 win over San Jose.
Chapter 04 · International Career
Wearing the Maple Leaf
Before he wore Oilers copper, before the “C” was stitched to his chest, Connor McDavid wore the red and white. His international career has been a parallel story of dominance, culminating in an Olympic heartbreak that echoed his NHL journey.
2013 · Sochi, Russia
U18 Worlds — The Youngest
At 16, McDavid was the youngest player in the tournament. He played on a line with Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, led the tournament in scoring with 14 points (8G, 6A) in 7 games, scored a hat trick in the quarterfinal against Czech Republic, and was named Tournament MVP and Best Forward as Canada won gold, defeating the USA 3–2.
2015 · Toronto / Montreal
World Juniors — Coming Home
The only 17-year-old on a team of 19-year-olds, McDavid served as alternate captain and finished with 11 points (3G, 8A), leading all players with 8 assists. Canada won gold, defeating Russia 5–4. McDavid scored a breakaway five-hole goal in the final and was named to the Media All-Star Team.
2016 · Moscow
World Championship — Triple Crown
At 19, in his first senior international tournament, McDavid recorded 9 points (1G, 8A) in 10 games. His lone goal — in the first period of the championship game — was the game-winner as Canada defeated Finland 2–0 for gold. He became the youngest player to win gold at the U18, U20, and World Championship levels.
2025 · Montreal / Boston
4 Nations Face-Off — The Golden Goal
Named alternate captain alongside Cale Makar (Sidney Crosby wore the C). In the championship game at TD Garden, McDavid scored the overtime winner at 8:18, taking a pass from Mitch Marner and roofing it high glove-side past Connor Hellebuyck to beat the USA 3–2. He finished with 5 points (3G, 2A) in 4 games. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves. Nathan MacKinnon was named Tournament MVP; McDavid was named Player of the Game in the final.
“I know it's just a quick tournament, and it's not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group.”
2026 · Milano Cortina · The Record and the Heartbreak
Most points · single Olympics (NHL era)
Silver Medal
Canada fell 2–1 in overtime to the United States — Jack Hughes scoring the golden goal at 1:41 of 3-on-3 OT. McDavid wore the C for the semifinal and final after Crosby's injury.
Tournament MVP · Best Forward · All-Star Team
Chapter 05 · The Stanley Cup Chase
So Close
The hardest trophy in sports has eluded the greatest player of his generation. Not for lack of trying. Not for lack of brilliance. The story of McDavid's playoff career is a story of ascent, heartbreak, and the relentless belief that next year is the year.
2017
The Return · Lost in Round 2
Edmonton's first playoff appearance in 11 years. Beat San Jose in 6, then lost to Anaheim in 7. McDavid: 9 points (5G, 4A) in 13 games. The drought was over, but the Cup was still far away.
2020
The Bubble · Eliminated in Qualifying
COVID-19 bubble in Edmonton. Lost 3–1 to Chicago in a best-of-5 qualifying round. McDavid had 9 points in 4 games — and still lost.
2021
The Sweep · Darkest Hour
Swept by Winnipeg in Round 1. Games 2, 3, and 4 all went to overtime (Game 4 went to triple OT). McDavid had 4 points (1G, 3A) in 4 games. The lowest point.
2022
The Deep Run · Swept by Destiny
Beat LA Kings in 7, beat Calgary in 5 (Battle of Alberta), then swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. Colorado went on to win the Cup. McDavid was magnificent: 33 points (10G, 23A) in 16 games.
2023
The Second Round Wall
Beat LA Kings in 6, lost to Vegas Golden Knights in 6. Vegas went on to win the Cup. McDavid: 20 points (8G, 12A) in 12 games. Another year watching someone else celebrate.
2024 · The Historic Run · Game 7 Heartbreak
Led ALL playoff scorers
Conn Smythe Trophy
Playoff MVP on a losing team.
Only the sixth player in history to receive this honor, and the first since Jean-Sébastien Giguère in 2003.
Beat LA in 5. Beat Vancouver in 7. Beat Dallas in 6. Reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, facing the Florida Panthers. Then the unthinkable: down 3–0 in the series. No team had ever come back from 3–0 to win the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton won Game 4. Won Game 5. Won Game 6 — forcing a Game 7 at Amerant Bank Arena. The hockey world held its breath. They lost Game 7, 2–1.
2025
The Rematch · So Close Again
Back to the Stanley Cup Final. Back against Florida. Edmonton won Game 1 (4–3 OT) and Game 4 (5–4 OT, comeback from 3 goals down). But the Panthers won the series in 6 games, claiming their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Edmonton lost Game 6 decisively, 5–1. McDavid had 33 points (7G, 26A) in 22 playoff games.
“We lost to a really good team. Nobody quit, nobody threw the towel in, but they're a heck of a team. They're back-to-back Stanley Cup champions for a reason.”
The story isn't over.
The Cup is still out there.
And so is 97.
Chapter 06 · Playing Style
How He Does It
McDavid is widely regarded as the fastest skater in NHL history. His four wins in the NHL All-Star Fastest Skater competition — a record — only begin to illustrate his speed. NHL EDGE tracking data from 2025–26 recorded a top speed of 24.61 mph (39.61 km/h), leading all NHL skaters. He credits his speed to years of rollerblading as a child, and his ability to handle the puck at full sprint while changing direction is widely considered unprecedented. His best Fastest Skater time was 13.310 seconds (2017), the second-fastest in competition history behind Dylan Larkin's 13.172 (2016).
“He sees the ice extremely well. He has an explosive acceleration to get to another gear that other guys don't have. And most importantly, you can tell he loves to play and he loves to win.”
His playmaking vision is statistically rare. McDavid became only the fourth player in NHL history to record 100 assists in a single season (2023–24), joining Gretzky, Lemieux, and Orr. He has never gone more than three consecutive games without a point in his entire career. At the 2024 All-Star Skills Competition, he won not only the Fastest Skater but also the stickhandling, shooting accuracy, and obstacle course events — claiming the overall $1 million prize.
“The window for getting him the puck, because he's so fast, is probably a lot smaller than every other guy in the league. On the other hand, that makes him very dangerous.”
McDavid's shot has evolved dramatically. He scored only 16 goals in his shortened rookie year and 30 in his first full season, but reached 64 goals in 2022–23. His shooting percentage has consistently hovered between 12% and 18%. His career points-per-game rate of approximately 1.53 places him in historic company — only Gretzky and Lemieux maintained rates above 1.50 across their careers.
“He's the best player in the league and he's also the fastest, so if you don't really slow him down or get in his way, he's just gonna skate by you.”
Points per game
Regular season · 1.56 in the playoffs. Only Gretzky & Lemieux sustained 1.50+ in both.
Oilers goals with him on ice
Share of Edmonton's regular-season goals since 2015–16 that feature a McDavid goal or assist.
100-point seasons
3rd all-time — only Gretzky (15) and Lemieux (10) have more.
The Records Wall
Twelve exhibits. A living museum of a generational résumé.
Youngest Captain
October 5, 2016. Surpassed Gabriel Landeskog (19y 286d, Colorado, 2012).
Most Assists · Single Postseason
2024 Playoffs — broke Wayne Gretzky's record of 31 (1988).
4th Fastest to 1,000 Points
November 14, 2024. Only Gretzky (424), Lemieux (513) and Bossy (656) faster.
Highest Single-Season Total · 27 years
2022–23 — first 150-point season since Lemieux's 161 in 1995–96.
100 Assists · Single Season
2023–24 — only the 4th player ever (Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr).
Most Points · Single Olympics (NHL era)
2026 Milano Cortina — broke Selänne/Koivu record of 11 (2006).
100-Point Seasons
3rd all-time — only Gretzky (15) and Lemieux (10) have more.
Fastest Skater Championships
2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 — record. Best time: 13.310 seconds.
Unanimous Hart Trophy
2020–21 — first unanimous Hart since Gretzky in 1982.
20-Game Point Streak
Dec 4, 2025 – late Jan 2026. Longest by an Oiler since Gretzky's 39-game (1985–86).
Conn Smythe · Losing Team
2024 — first since J-S Giguère in 2003.
100-Point Season Tracker
| Season | Points |
|---|---|
| 2016–17 | 100 |
| 2017–18 | 108 |
| 2018–19 | 116 |
| 2020–21 | 105 |
| 2021–22 | 123 |
| 2022–23 | 153 |
| 2023–24 | 132 |
| 2024–25 | 100 |
| 2025–26 | 133* |
Chapter 07 · The Person
More Than Hockey
The Wedding and Lauren
McDavid married Lauren Kyle on July 27, 2024, on Old Woman Island, a private 16-acre island on Lake Muskoka, Ontario. Lauren, a Ryerson University graduate in interior design, is the founder of Kyle & Co. Design Studio and also runs Trove Living, Bar Trove, and Sports Club Atelier. The couple met in 2016 through a blind date arranged by Lauren's cousin (who was an Oilers teammate at the time) and went Instagram-official on July 4, 2016. Connor proposed on June 22, 2023, at their Muskoka cottage. Leon Draisaitl served as one of the best men. Their first dance was to “Only Love” by Ben Howard. The wedding was featured in Vogue Australia.
Lauren designed the couple's custom home in Edmonton's Laurier Heights overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, which was featured in Architectural Digest in November 2021.
Lenard the Bernedoodle
The couple's miniature Bernedoodle, Lenard (“Lenny”), was born at SwissRidge Kennels in Ontario and adopted in August 2019. Lenard has his own Instagram account (@lenardthebernedoodle) with roughly 20,000–24,000 followers. He walked down the aisle at Connor and Lauren's wedding and participated in the on-ice ceremony for McDavid's 1,000th career point.
Philanthropy
McDavid has donated $85,000 to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities' “Sports for a Platform for Resiliency” program, supporting Indigenous children in Edmonton overcoming financial barriers to sports participation. He serves as a brand ambassador for Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
His deepest charitable connection is with the Ben Stelter Fund, named for a six-year-old Oilers superfan who befriended McDavid while battling glioblastoma (brain cancer). Ben died on August 9, 2022. McDavid pledged $100,000 to the foundation, actively promotes the annual school fundraiser (which raised $74,000 in 2025 across 10 schools), and visits the winning school each year.
Through the Ronald McDonald House shuttle program in Edmonton, McDavid helped donate two minivans (via Go Auto) to transport sick children and their families — a program that makes more than 14,000 trips per year. He surprised two families by emerging from the backseat of the new vans. He participates annually in NHL/NHLPA Hockey Fights Cancer and supports the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Alberta, and the Zebra Child Protection Centre.
Off the ice
- Devoted fan of the TV show Friends
- Golf, rollerblading, and time at the lake in Muskoka
- Grew up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan
- Favorite player growing up: Sidney Crosby
- Teammates nicknamed him "The Crane" for stealing bites of their food
- Cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 18
- Twice won the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year
Chapter 08
In Their Words
By McDavid
"You spend your whole life playing hockey and loving the game and just wanting to play and make the NHL. One thousand points later, playing for 10 years, it's pretty special."
"My expectations on myself exceed any of those put on me."
"I never felt pressure, or like I had to be somebody. I was just discovering who I was and who I wanted to be. And I think somewhere along the way, shooting pucks into the plywood of our garage and making long drives for games, I realized that I just wanted to be the best version of myself — to see what I could become."
"I obviously said I was committed to winning here and I meant that ... Lenny is not going to go hungry with that money, so we'll be fine."
About McDavid
"I don't think there's any question that Connor's the best 19-year-old hockey player I've ever seen, and I saw Messier, I saw Lemieux, I saw Lafleur. This kid is special."
"When you guys do win — and you will win a Stanley Cup — the feeling is just over the top. You will lift it one day because you're too good."
"It is a special moment. This is legendary stuff. To witness that and to be a part of it and to have seen him grow up from when he was 18 and we first met him, it is pretty cool, pretty amazing to be a part of."
"You can't throw around the best player in the world easily, and you can debate all you want, but he is most definitely up there."
12 notes and growing
Leave a Note
A page of tributes from fans across Canada and around the world. Clean messages auto-approve and appear live below; others are reviewed quickly.
Latest Tributes
Live · 12 messages
Just revamped the site. Hope you like it CM.
Dear Mr. McDavid I wish to extend to you, my respect for your play, but mostly to the Canadian Olympic team for an incredible and historic effort in Italy. The Team was spectacular, all of you played your hearts out and beyond, unfortunately the puck bounces did not go the team's way. Such breaks hearts, but such is the spice of life. You and the Team have nothing to be ashamed of. Honestly, I was pretty darn sure the Canadian Team was going to win, my best to you and your's sir, God Bless.
Connor I wanted to send you a quick note of appreciation after your incredible three‑goal performance against Nashville. That game was unforgettable on its own, but it ended up having a great benefit to me as well. Because of your hat trick, I won a full year of grocery cards from Save‑On‑Foods. I can’t tell you how surreal it felt watching you bury that third goal and realizing what it meant. Thank you not just for the goals, but for the excitement, leadership, and joy you bring to Edmonton.
Daniel says "How old are you" David says "Can you come here to our house"?
Hi Connor, I am born and raised in Toronto {Etobicoke} and now live in Vancouver. I still have a big heart for the Maple Leafs and would love to see you in that uniform. That city deserves it and I believe that they can go all the way with you. Please search your heart and make an old Leaf fan happy.
You're the best!! keep it up! Lets go oilers #comeback season #artross You deserve a cup! Let's get it for edmonton
Hey girl nnor
hey connor you're awesome
If you want to win the cup - you have to make Skinner disappear somewhere in the mountains of Peru and cut Nurse who is a grossly overpaid mid.
@Anonymous Fan: true true true
@kai: yeah true!!!!
hi connor, thanks for being you
Chapter 09
Committed to Edmonton
| Contract | Term | Total | AAV | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 3 yrs · 2015–18 | $2.775M base | $925K | Jul 3 2015 |
| First Extension | 8 yrs · 2018–26 | $100,000,000 | $12.5M | Jul 5 2017 |
| Current Extension | 2 yrs · 2026–28 | $25,000,000 | $12.5M | Oct 6 2025 |
The Edmonton Context
After reaching the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers missed the playoffs for ten consecutive seasons (2006–07 through 2015–16) — the franchise's “Decade of Darkness.” The era was marked by front-office dysfunction: three GMs (Lowe, Tambellini, MacTavish), five head coaches, and first overall draft picks that didn't deliver sustained success — Taylor Hall (2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Nail Yakupov (2012). Of that group, only Nugent-Hopkins remains with the team.
Since McDavid's arrival, Edmonton has made the playoffs in seven of ten seasons, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years (2024, 2025). Rogers Place opened in 2016. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl (3rd overall, 2014) formed one of the most lethal duos in NHL history, with Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse, and Stuart Skinner anchoring the supporting cast.
Coaching Tenure
| Coach | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Todd McLellan | May 2015 – Nov 2018 |
| Ken Hitchcock | Nov 2018 – Apr 2019 |
| Dave Tippett | May 2019 – Feb 2022 |
| Jay Woodcroft | Feb 2022 – Nov 2023 |
| Kris Knoblauch | Nov 2023 – present |
2025–26 Season · 2 games remaining
80 GP · 47 G · 86 A · 133 PTS
Chasing 50 goals. Playoffs next.
The Cup is still out there. And so is 97.
McJesus · Davo · The Crane — three nicknames for a player who spent a decade earning the scrutiny that comes with being called generational, and who wore the discomfort of the first with the humor of the last.