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Connor McDavid
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Connor Andrew McDavid (born January 13, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a centre and captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2015 NHL entry draft, McDavid is widely considered one of the best players in the world.

Key Information

McDavid spent his childhood playing ice hockey against older children. Coached by his father, McDavid won four Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships with the York Simcoe Express, but he left the team in 2011 to join the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). There, McDavid was named the GTHL Player of the Year and the winner of the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy. He was granted exceptional player status in 2012 by Hockey Canada, which allowed him to begin playing junior ice hockey at the age of 15. The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected him first overall in that year's draft, and he played there until 2015. McDavid's OHL career concluded with a 2014–15 season in which he recorded 120 points and received a number of OHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) awards, including the Red Tilson Trophy, Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, and CHL Player of the Year awards. McDavid also represented Canada at several international competitions during this time, winning gold medals at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

After finishing his junior hockey career, McDavid joined the Oilers for their 2015–16 season. Despite missing three months of his rookie season due to a fractured clavicle, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The following year, the Oilers appointed 19-year-old McDavid the youngest captain in NHL history. Recording 100 points during the 2016–17 season, at the age of 20, McDavid became the second youngest player to win the Art Ross Trophy for the leading scorer in the NHL. He was also awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and was selected to the NHL First All-Star Team. Although the Oilers missed the Stanley Cup playoffs during the next two seasons, McDavid scored 41 goals in consecutive years. He injured his knee in the final game of the 2018–19 season but underwent a nonsurgical rehabilitation process that allowed him to return in time for the start of the 2019–20 season. In 2020–21, despite the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the NHL season to only 56 games, McDavid recorded 100 points for the fourth time in his career. In 2023–24, McDavid captained the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final, their first since 2006. McDavid went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, becoming only the sixth player, and first since Jean-Sébastien Giguère in 2003, to win the award despite not winning the Stanley Cup.

He is a four-time NHL First Team All-Star, a five-time recipient of the Art Ross Trophy, a four-time winner of the Ted Lindsay Award, a three-time recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy, and the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner for 2022–23 as the league's leading goal-scorer. His opponents have praised his speed on the ice, and McDavid has won Fastest Skater at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition four times. He is one of only two players – after fellow Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky in 1982 – to unanimously win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player.

Early life

[edit]

McDavid was born on January 13, 1997, in Richmond Hill, Ontario.[1] His mother, Kelly, played one year of recreational ice hockey as a child before turning her attention towards skiing, while his father, Brian, was a high school ice hockey player and dedicated Boston Bruins fan.[2] McDavid began playing hockey around the age of three, practicing on rollerblades in the family basement.[3] He began playing organized youth hockey the next year, as his parents lied about his age to allow him to play with five-year-olds.[4] When he was six, the local youth hockey association in his hometown of Newmarket forbade McDavid to play against older children, and his parents, believing that he would be "bored out of his mind" in house league hockey, enrolled him in an Aurora, Ontario, hockey program.[5] From there, he won four Ontario Minor Hockey Association championships with the York Simcoe Express, a team coached by his father.[5] In 2009, McDavid participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his York Simcoe team, which also featured future professional ice hockey player Sam Bennett.[6]

In 2011, McDavid left the Express for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), the team that he and his father had defeated in the previous year's Ontario Hockey Federation championship. The decision came at a social cost, as he lost many of the friends that he had made with York Simcoe.[7] He won the GTHL Player of the Year Award in 2012 after scoring 33 goals and recording 39 assists in 33 regular season games. McDavid added another 19 points (11 goals and eight assists) in seven OHL Cup games, the most by any player since Sam Gagner recorded 17 points in five games during the 2005 tournament.[8] Although he received the Tim Adams Memorial Trophy as the tournament MVP, McDavid's team was defeated 2–1 in the OHL Cup final by the Mississauga Rebels.[9]

Playing career

[edit]

Junior

[edit]

Although McDavid contemplated playing NCAA Division I hockey, he ultimately decided to enter the junior ice hockey circuit as an adolescent rather than waiting to begin a college career.[10] McDavid applied for exceptional player status through Hockey Canada, and after passing through evaluations of his athleticism, academics, and maturity, he was allowed to enter the junior hockey draft at the age of 15 rather than 16.[11] He was only the third Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player to be granted such an exception, following John Tavares in 2005 and Aaron Ekblad in 2011.[12] On April 7, 2012, the Erie Otters selected McDavid first overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection,[13] and he signed with the team that June.[14] As the first overall selection in that year's OHL draft, McDavid was the recipient of the 2012 Jack Ferguson Award.[15]

McDavid with the Erie Otters in 2013

McDavid joined the Otters for the 2012–13 season, where he scored his first OHL goal on September 21, in an 8–2 loss to the London Knights.[16] That October, he was named the OHL Rookie of the Month after recording at least one point in all 10 games he played.[17] He took home the award again in November with a rookie-leading 17 points in 13 games.[18] That same month, McDavid became the youngest OHL player ever to participate in the Subway Super Series.[19] In January and February, the physical toll of moving from minor to junior hockey, as well as frustration playing for the last-place Otters, limited McDavid's effectiveness on the ice, and his scoring began to slow.[20] On March 10, 2013, despite the Otters falling 6–4 to the Owen Sound Attack, McDavid picked up his 37th assist of the season, setting a franchise record for rookie assists. It was also his 62nd point of the season, tying with Tim Connolly for the most rookie points in Otters history.[21] He went on to record four more points in the regular season, breaking Connolly's record.[22] McDavid finished his rookie season with 25 goals and 41 assists in 63 regular season games, second in scoring to Nikolay Goldobin among all OHL rookies. In addition to being named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team, McDavid took home the 2013 Emms Family Award for OHL rookie of the year.[23] He was also a finalist for CHL Rookie of the Year, a title which ultimately went to Valentin Zykov of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.[24]

In contrast to their poor finish during the previous season, the Otters opened the 2013–14 season with 25 points in their first 15 games, including a 10-game winning streak. During this stretch, McDavid personally had five goals and 28 points, three points behind OHL leader and teammate Connor Brown.[25] He was named the OHL Player of the Month in October and received another Subway Super Series selection, appearing as the youngest player in the tournament for the second year in a row.[26] After experiencing two consecutive four-point outings in an 11–2 win against the Plymouth Whalers and 6–1 victory over the Windsor Spitfires in March, McDavid was named both the OHL and CHL Player of the Week. Later that week, his 25th goal of the season helped the Otters to reach 100 points as a team for the first time since 2001.[27] He finished the regular season fourth in the OHL with 99 points (28 goals and 71 assists) in 56 games. His 20 penalty minutes, meanwhile, were the lowest among the top 12 scorers in the league, and McDavid was awarded the William Hanley Trophy for the most sportsmanlike player in the OHL.[28] With a 92 per cent average at McDowell High School, McDavid both won the 2014 Bobby Smith Trophy for the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year[29] and was named the 2014 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year.[30] He was also named to the OHL Second All-Star Team alongside Otters defenceman Adam Pelech and coach Kris Knoblauch.[31] The Otters, meanwhile, finished the regular season second in the OHL, and McDavid added an additional four goals and 19 points in 14 postseason games before Erie fell to the Guelph Storm in the Western Conference finals.[32]

McDavid's No. 97 Erie Otters jersey on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Otters named McDavid their captain for the 2014–15 season during training camp.[33] McDavid recorded at least one point in all but one of the first 18 games of the season and led the OHL with 51 points before breaking his hand in a fight with Bryson Cianfrone of the Mississauga Steelheads on November 11. McDavid had already recorded a goal and assist at the time of his injury, giving him a Gordie Howe hat trick, but was forced to miss both the Subway Super Series and several regular season games.[34][35] He missed six weeks of the regular OHL season, first to injury and then international competition, before returning on January 8 for a 4–3 defeat from the Sarnia Sting.[36] Shortly after his return, McDavid was named the captain of Team Cherry at the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game; teammate Dylan Strome was selected to captain Team Orr.[37] After recording his first OHL hat-trick on February 25 against the Guelph Storm, McDavid recorded his 100th point of the season with a goal and assist against the Owen Sound Attack. He was the fourth OHL player that season to reach 100 points, doing so in only 38 games due to his injury, and was named OHL Player of the Month for February.[38] He finished the regular season with 44 goals and 120 points in 47 games, with at least one point in all but two of those games, and he led the OHL with a +60 plus–minus rating.[39]

At the end of the 2014–15 season, McDavid received a number of awards from the OHL and CHL. In addition to winning the Bobby Smith Trophy and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, he was also named to the OHL First All-Star Team, received the Red Tilson Trophy for the most outstanding player in the OHL, the CHL Player of the Year title, and the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award.[40][41][42] Although the Otters were defeated in the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals by the Oshawa Generals,[43] McDavid recorded 21 goals and 49 points in 20 postseason games, including two goals and six points in five championship series games, and received the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award for the most valuable player in the OHL playoffs.[44] With five individual OHL awards in his three-year career, McDavid also finished his junior hockey tenure as the most decorated player in league history.[45] Altogether, McDavid had 285 points in his career with the Otters, 24 fewer than franchise leader Brad Boyes, and led the franchise with 188 assists.[46]

Professional (2015–present)

[edit]

2015–2020: Injury–shortened rookie season, starting Oilers captaincy, team disappointments

[edit]

The Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL), who were coming off of a 24–44–14 season, selected McDavid first overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft.[47] On July 3, 2015, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team; the total deal was worth $11.3 million, including up to $3.775 million annually in bonus incentives.[48][49] He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2015, nearly scoring twice but stopped by Brian Elliott both times in a 3–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.[50] His first goal came five days later in his third NHL game, when McDavid scored on Kari Lehtonen in the second period of a 4–2 loss to the Dallas Stars.[51] On November 3, in his 13th NHL game, McDavid suffered a fractured left clavicle after a collision into the boards with Brandon Manning and Michael Del Zotto of the Philadelphia Flyers.[52] At the time of the injury, he had five goals and 12 points through those 13 games.[53] He missed a total of 37 games with the injury, by which point the Oilers had fallen well out of playoff contention, but returned on February 3 with a goal and two assists in Edmonton's 5–1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.[54] On February 11, while facing his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, McDavid was involved in all five of the Oilers' points: in addition to scoring twice, he also had assists on every part of Jordan Eberle's hat trick. That single-game performance helped boost McDavid to tenth overall in NHL rookie scoring at that point, despite playing in only his 19th game of the 2015–16 season.[55] Despite appearing in only 45 games due to injury, McDavid finished his rookie season with 16 goals and 32 assists, fourth in rookie scoring. He was third place in Calder Memorial Trophy voting, behind Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers and winner Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks, and all three players were named to the 2015–16 NHL All-Rookie Team.[56]

On October 5, 2016, the Oilers named McDavid their captain for the 2016–17 season. At 19 years and 266 days old, McDavid became the youngest captain in NHL history, unseating Gabriel Landeskog, who was 20 days older when he became captain of the Colorado Avalanche in September 2012.[57] After a 10-game goal drought early in the season, McDavid recorded his first NHL hat-trick on November 19 in a 5–2 victory over the Dallas Stars.[58] The following month, on December 18, 2016, he scored his first shootout goal against Ben Bishop to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3–2.[59] With two assists against the New Jersey Devils on January 13, McDavid became the first player to reach 50 points during the 2016–17 season.[60] Five days later, he recorded his 100th NHL point with an assist on Zack Kassian's goal against the Florida Panthers.[61] He reached the milestone in only 92 games, following Wayne Gretzky (61 games) and Blair MacDonald (85) as the third-fastest Oiler to reach 100 career points.[62] With a league-leading 16 goals and 56 points halfway through the season, McDavid earned his first NHL All-Star Game selection in 2017, playing on the same line as Anaheim Ducks rival forward Ryan Kesler for the Pacific Division team.[63] He also won Fastest Skater at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with a time of 13.02 seconds.[64] In the final regular season game of the year, McDavid recorded two assists to finish the season with 100 points. In doing so, he became the youngest player (just four months past his 20th birthday) to win the Art Ross Trophy for the NHL scoring leader since a 19-year-old Sidney Crosby won in the 2006–07 season.[65] Playing in all 82 games of the season, McDavid recorded 30 goals and 70 assists for 100 points, with at least one point in 59 games and a 14-game point streak to close out the regular season.[66] The Oilers ended a 10-year playoff drought on March 29, 2017, when they defeated the Los Angeles Kings to clinch a berth in the 2017 playoffs.[67] McDavid scored his first NHL postseason goal short-handed in the Oilers' 2–0 shutout win over the San Jose Sharks in the opening-round series.[68] Edmonton defeated the Sharks in six games of the best-of-seven series and went on to face the Anaheim Ducks in the second round.[69] That series went to seven games, with the Oilers falling 2–1 in the winner-takes-all match.[70] McDavid added five goals and nine points in 13 playoff games before elimination.[71] Once the Stanley Cup playoffs concluded, McDavid was honoured at the 2017 NHL Awards with the Hart Memorial Trophy for the most valuable player in the NHL, the Ted Lindsay Award for the most outstanding player as decided by the National Hockey League Players' Association, and a selection to the NHL First All-Star Team at centre.[72]

On July 5, 2017, McDavid signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the Oilers, which went into effect at the beginning of the 2018–19 season.[73] His second hat-trick, meanwhile, came in the first game of the 2017–18 season, when McDavid scored every Edmonton goal in their 3–0 shutout of the Calgary Flames.[74] With a team-leading 14 goals and 45 points by the halfway point of the season, McDavid won the fan vote to captain the Pacific Division at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game, his second such selection.[75] He successfully defended his Fastest Skater title at the Skills Competition, completing the course in 13.454 seconds to narrowly defeat Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning.[76] On February 5, shortly after the All-Star Game, McDavid had his first NHL four-goal game with a 6–2 win over the Lightning, breaking Edmonton's 0-for-17 power play cold streak in the process.[77] McDavid's third hat-trick of the season came on February 18, when he broke both the Oilers' six-game losing streak and the Colorado Avalanche's 10-game at-home winning streak.[78] While the Oilers finished the season well outside of playoff contention, finishing 17 points behind the Avalanche in the wild-card race, McDavid set career highs with 41 goals and 108 points along with 67 assists, and he led the NHL with 84 even-strength points.[79] Although his team's poor performance left McDavid out of serious contention for the Hart Trophy,[80] he became the first player to receive the Art Ross Trophy in back-to-back years since Jaromír Jágr in 2000 and 2001. McDavid additionally took home the Ted Lindsay Award for the second consecutive season and second time altogether and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team.[81]

With a point in all nine of the Oilers' first goals of the 2018–19 season, McDavid broke Adam Oates's record, set in 1986–87, when Oates was involved in the Detroit Red Wings' first seven goals of the season.[82] With an overtime goal against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Cam Ward on October 28, McDavid became the first Oiler to record at least 17 points through the first 10 games of an NHL season since Mark Messier in 1989–90.[83] On December 13, with two assists in his 240th NHL game, McDavid became the ninth player to reach 300 points before his 22nd birthday and tied Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 21st century NHL player to reach the milestone in the fewest games.[84] While serving as the Pacific Division captain at his third consecutive NHL All-Star Game,[85] McDavid set an NHL record with his third Fastest Skater victory, defeating Jack Eichel and Mathew Barzal with a speed of 13.378 seconds.[86] On February 22, McDavid received a two-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for what was deemed an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenceman Nick Leddy.[87] He finished the season with a career-tying 41 goals, as well as a career-high 75 assists and 116 points. On April 6, 2019, the final game of the season, McDavid crashed into the Calgary Flames' net at a velocity of over 40 km/h (25 mph), slamming his left knee into the post. He was diagnosed with a complete tear of the posterior cruciate ligament and popliteus muscle, tears to both the medial and lateral meniscus, and a tibial plateau fracture.[88] With the Oilers already eliminated from possible playoff contention, McDavid elected not to undergo surgery but to participate in an extensive rehabilitation program that would allow him to return in time for the beginning of the next season.[89][90][91] The season also saw significant developments for the Oilers as a team, with general manager Peter Chiarelli sacked midway through in January 2019 after years of criticism for his inability to assemble a competitive team around McDavid.[92][93][94] Subsequently, Ken Holland was hired as the team's new general manager.[95] Despite the continued team difficulties, McDavid became a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career. He came in third behind Sidney Crosby and Nikita Kucherov in Hart Trophy voting.[96] He became the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2012 to be a top three finalist for the Hart Trophy despite being on a team that failed to qualify for the playoffs.[97][98] McDavid also received his third NHL First All-Star Team selection, finishing ahead of Crosby in voting for centre.[99]

McDavid started the 2019–20 season as the NHL First Star of the Week with 12 points through the first five games of the year, all of which the Oilers came back from behind to win.[100] With the first goal of his hat-trick against the Anaheim Ducks on November 10, McDavid reached 400 NHL points in 306 games, joining Sidney Crosby as the only other active NHL player to reach the milestone in that many games. It was also 64 days before his 23rd birthday, making McDavid the eighth player to record 400 points before turning 23.[101] Five days later, McDavid recorded another hat-trick as part of a career-high six-point game against the Colorado Avalanche.[102] Although he reached 50 points on December 1 in a 3–2 win against the Vancouver Canucks,[103] McDavid's scoring pace began to slow after his pair of hat tricks: he recorded 48 points in the first 25 games of the season but only 10 in the next nine, a stretch which also included four pointless outings.[104] McDavid made his fourth All-Star Game appearance in 2020 as captain of the Pacific Division.[105] He was kept from a fourth consecutive Fastest Skater win by Mathew Barzal, who finished the course in 13.175 seconds, ahead of McDavid's 13.215-second lap.[106] With their February 9 outing against the Nashville Predators, during which Draisaitl scored twice and McDavid had an assist, the pair became the first teammates to reach 30 goals and 80 points apiece in 55 games since Mario Lemieux and Jaromír Jágr with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1996–97 season.[107] McDavid injured his knee in a collision with Dante Fabbro during the second period of that game, and although the knee itself did not suffer any serious damage, MRI scans revealed a quadriceps injury.[108] He missed six games before returning on February 23 for a three-point outing in the Oilers' 4–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.[109] By the time that the NHL indefinitely suspended the season on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McDavid had 34 goals, 63 assists and 97 points in 64 games.[110] When the NHL returned to play that July for the 2020 playoffs, McDavid was one of 31 skaters that the Oilers took into their quarantine bubble.[111] He added an additional five goals and nine points in four postseason games before the Chicago Blackhawks eliminated the Oilers in the qualifying round.[112] That included a postseason hat-trick in Game 2 to help the Oilers to a 6–3 win.[113]

2020–present: Rising team contention, Rocket Richard Trophy win and Conn Smythe Trophy

[edit]

On January 14, 2021, in the second game of the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, McDavid scored the first hat-trick of any player that year as the Oilers won 5–2 against the Vancouver Canucks.[114] With eight goals and 14 assists in the first 11 games of the season, McDavid joined Wayne Gretzky as the only Oilers in history to reach 20 points in 11 games during back-to-back seasons, a feat for which he was named the NHL North Division Star of the Month for January.[115] His 500th career point came on an assist against the Winnipeg Jets on February 17. The point came in McDavid's 369th NHL game, tying Sidney Crosby as the eighth-fastest player to reach the milestone.[116] Four days later, he had a natural hat-trick and a five-point game in a 7–1 rout of the Calgary Flames.[117] He won the North Division Star of the Month again for March after recording 23 points in 14 games, including an 11-game point streak between March 6 and 29.[118] On May 9, 2021, in only the 53rd game of the pandemic-shortened season, McDavid reached his 100th point of the year in a four-point outing against the Canucks. He was the first player to reach the milestone in so few games since Mario Lemieux during the 1995–96 season.[119] He finished the season with 33 goals and a league-leading 72 assists for a league-leading 105 points in all 56 games, 21 more than runner-up and teammate Leon Draisaitl, and took home his third career Art Ross Trophy.[120] At the end of the regular season, he was named to his fourth NHL First All-Star Team,[121] won his third Ted Lindsay Award, and joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players in the 97-year history of the award to win the Hart Memorial Trophy by unanimous selection.[122] The Oilers were unexpectedly swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, with McDavid recording only one goal and three assists in the four-game series.[123] The officiating standards during the playoffs subsequently became a public point of contention, with McDavid joining many fans and commentators in saying that referees allowed the Jets' players to foul him with impunity. It was noted that McDavid did not draw a single penalty during the series against the Jets, and had only drawn one in the preceding year's playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks. McDavid asked that referees "call the rule book, that's what it's there for."[124][125]

McDavid (left) defends against Garnet Hathaway in February 2022

McDavid began the 2021–22 season on a 17-game point streak, which came to an end on November 23, 2021, in a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars. It was the eighth-longest point streak to begin a season in NHL history and the third-longest for the Oilers, behind Wayne Gretzky's 51- and 30-game streaks in 1983–84 and 1982–83, respectively.[126] While the Oilers started the season with a franchise-best 9–1 record, McDavid and Draisaitl became the first pair of Edmonton teammates to individually reach 20 points within the first 10 games of the season since Gretzky and Jari Kurri in 1984–85.[127] After an excellent start to the season, both the Oilers and McDavid began suffering a marked decline in results, culminating in a 2–11–2 stretch of games in December and January. By early February, they had dropped out of a playoff spot. Amidst extensive media discussion of the Oilers' lack of depth scoring and questionable goaltending, general manager Holland fired coach Dave Tippett and replaced him with Jay Woodcroft, previously the coach of the Oilers AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors.[128][129] McDavid was once again selected as the captain of the Pacific Division team at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game,[130] where he was upset by Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues in the Fastest Skater competition.[131] The Oilers recovered their form under Woodcroft, finishing the season in second place in the Pacific Division to qualify for the playoffs after posting the third-best points percentage in the league after the coaching change with a 26–9–3 record.[132] McDavid finished the season with 44 goals, 79 assists and 123 points in 80 games to secure his fourth career Art Ross Trophy.[133] This point total was eight points more than runner-up Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames and Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers, who both finished with 115 points.[134] McDavid was again named a finalist for both the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.[135][136] The Oilers advanced in the 2022 playoffs to meet the Los Angeles Kings, seen as favourites to advance beyond the first round for only the second time in McDavid's career.[137] The Kings proved a greater challenge than many had expected, and after five games led the series 3–2. With the Oilers facing elimination in Game 6 in Los Angeles, McDavid led the team to victory, posting a goal and two assists in a game-leading 24:02 minutes of ice time to force Game 7.[138] Two days later, McDavid had a primary assist on Cody Ceci's game-winning goal, before burying a backhand shot in the final minutes to secure a 2–0 Oilers win and clinch the series. McDavid's four goals and 10 assists led the league in the first round of the playoffs, and he became only the second player in history to record six multi-point games in a single playoff series.[139][140] The Oilers drew the Calgary Flames in the second round, the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years.[141] With two goals and four assists in the first two games of the second round, McDavid hit 20 career playoff points in the fewest games of any player in 30 years.[142] McDavid scored the series-clinching goal in overtime in Game 5 to send the Oilers to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006.[143] The Oilers were ultimately defeated by the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in a four-game sweep, bringing the postseason to an end. With 10 goals and 23 assists for a total of 33 points, he led all players in scoring in the 2022 playoffs. He became the first player since Peter Forsberg in 2002 to be first in scoring without playing in the final round.[144][145]

On October 12, 2022, during the Oilers' 2022–23 season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, McDavid scored a hat-trick and increased his total career points to 700. This made him the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the milestone, and the fastest player since the 1980s.[146] In a season marked by increased scoring generally across the league, McDavid once again led the league in points from the beginning, this time while also scoring goals at the highest pace of his career thus far.[147][148][149] On January 22, McDavid scored his 40th goal of the season in a win over the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the fastest NHL player to notch 40 goals in a season since Pavel Bure during the 1999–2000 season.[150] McDavid reached 800 career points against the Philadelphia Flyers in a February 21 game, the fifth-fastest pace of any player in league history.[151] That game was the first of four consecutive two-goal games that saw him reach the 50-goal mark for the first time in a single season on February 27.[152] He notched a fifth consecutive two-goal game on March 1, becoming only the fifth player in league history to do so.[153] With a goal and an assist in a game against the Ottawa Senators on March 14, he reached 129 points on the season, surpassing Nikita Kucherov's 21st-century record set four years prior in 2018–19.[154] He then reached the 60-goal mark for the first time in his career on March 22, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes. He was only the fourth player to do so in the 21st century, and, in 72 games, reached it faster than anyone since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.[155] McDavid scored his 64th goal on April 8, which made him the sixth player in NHL history to hit the 150-point threshold,[156] whilst leading the league in goals for the first time in his career. He finished the season with 64 goals and 153 points, winning his fifth (and third consecutive) Art Ross Trophy and, for the first time in his career, earning the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goal-scoring. He was the first Oiler to win the Richard Trophy, and the first to lead the NHL in goals since Gretzky in 1986–87.[157] His 64 goals were one short of Alexander Ovechkin's post-lockout record of 65 in the 2007–08 season.[158] His 153 points were the most for a player since Lemieux in 1996, and the fourth-most for any player in NHL history, behind Gretzky, Lemieux and Steve Yzerman.[159] The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation dubbed it "the season of the century."[160] He was once again named finalist for both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.[161][162] Winning both awards, he finished the season with four individual player trophies.[163] He received 195 of 196 first-place votes for the Hart Trophy, narrowly missing a second unanimous win.[164] The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division and sixth in the league, qualifying for the 2023 playoffs. They drew the Los Angeles Kings in the first round for the second consecutive year, entering as the favourite to advance.[165][166] The Oilers ousted the Kings in six games, with McDavid and Draisaitl again credited as dominant forces in the contest, and moved to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.[167] The second round matchup attracted media attention due to the presence of Jack Eichel on the Golden Knights roster, as Eichel had been drafted second overall in the same year as McDavid and was viewed at the time as a potential career rival, though the narrative had largely faded in the following years due to neither party's interest in establishing further tension, Eichel's original Buffalo Sabres team from 2015 to 2021 not achieving much success, and the Sabres being in a different division and conference than the Oilers.[168][169][170] The Oilers were ultimately defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights in a six-game series, bringing their postseason to an end.[171]

In the summer 2023 off-season, the Oilers hired Jeff Jackson, McDavid's longtime agent, to serve as the CEO of hockey operations.[172] McDavid vowed that it would be "Cup or bust" for the team going into the 2023–24 season.[173] The team had a "disastrous" start to the season, winning only two of their first ten games and sitting second-to-last in the NHL. McDavid missed games due to injury in this period, and at the same point was tied for 57th in league scoring.[174] On November 12, the team fired coach Woodcroft and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, who had previously been McDavid's coach with the Erie Otters. At the time of the coaching change, the Oilers had a 3–9–1 record.[175] The Athletic remarked that the hirings of Jackson and Knoblauch "have put the spotlight squarely on McDavid," given their prior relations to him.[176] The team's fortunes soon revived under Knoblauch, and McDavid saw his scoring surge. On April 15, 2024, McDavid recorded his 100th assist of the 2023–24 season on a goal by Zach Hyman in a 9–2 win over the San Jose Sharks to become the first NHL player in over three decades and the fourth player in NHL history (alongside Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr) to achieve the feat.[177] After ending the season with 32 goals and 100 assists for 132 points in 76 games, McDavid and the Oilers would eliminate the Los Angeles Kings in the first round for the third straight season in five games, the Vancouver Canucks in seven games and the Dallas Stars in six games in the third round to help clinch the Oilers first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2006.[178] After losing the first three games of the series against the Florida Panthers, McDavid led the team on a comeback to avert elimination with a historic scoring surge in the next two games. In game four, he registered his 32nd assist of the playoffs on a goal by Dylan Holloway, breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for most assists in one playoff year in an 8–1 victory.[179] Following a dominant performance in which he scored four points during a 5–3 victory in the fifth game, McDavid achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player in NHL history to achieve back-to-back games with four points or more in the Stanley Cup Finals. Additionally, he also holds the record for most points accumulated over two games in the Stanley Cup Finals.[180] The Oilers forced the series to seven games, but were ultimately defeated. McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason. He was the sixth person from the losing finalist team to receive the award, only the second forward (after Reggie Leach in 1976) to do so, and the first person since Jean-Sébastien Giguère of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003.[181] McDavid did not accept the trophy when it was presented on the ice and remained with his teammates in the locker room, later commenting that "[he] wouldn't have gone out there for a million dollars."[182]

On January 20, 2025, McDavid was handed a three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland in a game against the Vancouver Canucks on January 18, 2025.[183] McDavid tied for the lead in points in the 2025 playoffs with teammate Leon Draisaitl, with seven goals and 33 points in 21 playoff games, but the Oilers once again lost to the Florida Panthers in the Cup Final, four games to two.

On October 6, 2025, McDavid signed a two-year extension to remain with the Oilers for an average annual value of $12.5 million.[184]

International play

[edit]

McDavid with Team Canada in 2016
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Russia
4 Nations Face-Off
Winner 2025 Canada/United States
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Canada
World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2013 Russia

Junior

[edit]

McDavid's international ice hockey career began with the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he led the sixth-place Team Ontario with nine points in five games, including two goals and an assist in their 7–6 tournament-ending loss to Team Pacific.[185] Despite his team's disappointing performance, McDavid was named to the tournament all-star team.[186] The next year, a 16-year-old McDavid was the youngest player in the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships in Sochi. Playing for the Canada men's national under-18 ice hockey team, he skated on a line with Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, recording two goals and two assists in Canada's 4–1 opening-round win over Slovakia.[187] He led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and 14 assists, including a hat-trick during Canada's 6–0 quarterfinal win over the Czech Republic.[188] Canada defeated the United States team 3–2 in the gold medal match, breaking Team USA's four-year championship streak, and McDavid was named both the Best Forward and Tournament MVP after the win.[189]

In 2014, McDavid became the sixth 16-year-old in history to join the Canadian junior team for that year's World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. Although McDavid recorded a goal and three assists in the tournament, he went pointless in the last three games and spent most of the bronze medal match, in which Canada fell 2–1 to Russia, on the bench.[190] He rejoined the team for the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada, serving as an alternate captain and as the only 17-year-old on a team that was otherwise 19 years of age.[191][192] Canada took the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Russia 5–4 in the championship match, and McDavid's 11 points (three goals and eight assists) tied Sam Reinhart and Nic Petan for first in the tournament. He was named to the media all-star team at the end of the championships.[193]

Senior

[edit]

McDavid first joined the Canadian senior team for the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia. Although he had eight assists in the tournament, McDavid did not score a goal until the gold-medal match against Finland, who the Canadians shut out 2–0 to win the tournament.[194] McDavid's was the only goal of the game until the final second, when Matt Duchene scored in the opposition's empty net.[195] That same year, McDavid was named captain of Team North America, a team of Canadian and United States players aged 23 or under, at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.[196] Centring a line with Auston Matthews and Mark Scheifele,[197] McDavid had three assists in six games during the pre-tournament and round robin stages of the World Cup.[198] Team North America was eliminated after the round-robin portion of the tournament, with Russia winning the tiebreaker.[199]

Two years later, McDavid was named captain of Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Denmark,[200] where he recorded five goals and 13 points through the opening rounds of the tournament.[201] With a 4–1 loss to the United States team in the bronze medal game, Canada finished the World Championship without a medal for the first time since 2014.[202] McDavid, who was joined by Oilers teammates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Darnell Nurse, finished the tournament third in scoring with five goals and 17 points in 10 games.[203] McDavid intended to play for Canada again at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, but suffered a leg injury at the end of the NHL season that kept him from participating.[204]

McDavid was one of the first three players named to the Canadian roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, joining Sidney Crosby and Alex Pietrangelo.[205] However, in December 2021, the NHL declared that no players would be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, citing COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the league. McDavid, who had already missed a chance to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics due to financial concerns from the NHL, was upset with the league's decision, saying, "It's always been a dream of mine to play at the Olympics since I was a little kid. So to have that kind of squashed as we were getting close was disappointing."[206]

McDavid was one of the first six players named to Team Canada for the 2025 debut of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and was later named alternate captain.[207][208] Recording three goals, including the game- and tournament-winning goal in the final matchup against Team USA,[209] and five points in four games, he finished the tournament second in scoring.[210] Team Canada's victory marked McDavid's first international gold medal since 2016, and his first in a senior-level "best on best" tournament. For his performance in the event final, he was named Player of the Game.[211]

On December 31, 2025, McDavid was named to Canada's team to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics.[212] He was subsequently named one of the team's alternate captains.[213]

In his first three Olympic Games, McDavid recorded nine points, breaking Jonathan Toews record for the most points in a single Olympic tournament by a Canadian NHL player, which Toews had held since 2010. [214]

Player profile

[edit]

Nicknamed "McJesus",[215] McDavid is considered by fellow players, fans, and sportswriters to be one of the best players in the modern era of the NHL, with frequent comparisons to elite offensive players such as Sidney Crosby.[216][217] Responding to a 2017 survey from the Associated Press, defenceman Seth Jones described McDavid as "what Crosby was when he was 20", while Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask said that McDavid "just skates and he stick handles and it's something I've never seen before as a goalie".[218] Between 2016 and 2021, McDavid ranked first in TSN Hockey's preseason fan poll of the top 50 players in the NHL.[219] The NHLPA also voted McDavid the best forward in the league in both 2019 and 2020.[220] In 2021, McDavid joined Gretzky as the only players to unanimously win the Hart Memorial Trophy, as voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.[221]

Through his first five seasons in the NHL, McDavid's 1.34 points per game have been on par with Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.[222] When asked by ESPN in 2016 what made McDavid such a strong player, several, including Auston Matthews, Ryan Getzlaf, Joe Thornton, and Brendan Gallagher, mentioned his speed on the ice. John Tavares praised McDavid's adaptability, while defenceman Cam Fowler said, "I don't think there's a specific way to shut him down."[223] In 2021, Gretzky praised McDavid's increased maturity and physicality compared to previous seasons, saying, "His body language is that he doesn't want to lose, and it's infectious through the hockey club."[224] Despite the praise for the offensive aspects of his game, McDavid has received criticism from sports journalists for his defensive elements, particularly his high rate of turning over the puck to his opponents while in the Oilers' defensive zone.[225][226]

Personal life

[edit]

McDavid met his wife, interior designer Lauren Kyle, in 2016 after they were set up on a blind date by Kyle's cousin and McDavid's then-teammate, Luke Gazdic.[227] The pair live with their dog, a miniature Bernedoodle named Lenard,[228] and own a house together in Edmonton.[229] After photos of the house were featured in EDify magazine in 2020 and video tour was recorded in 2021 for Architectural Digest, the minimalist design and the grim view of the Edmonton River Valley outside became an Internet meme.[230][231] McDavid and Kyle became engaged on June 22, 2023,[232] and got married on July 27, 2024, in Muskoka, Ontario. The wedding was featured in Vogue.[233] Edmonton Oilers teammates Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse were two of his groomsmen.

As a sports fan in Ontario, McDavid was a dedicated childhood fan of Mats Sundin and the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL team. He described his childhood bedroom as "pretty embarrassing" for its volume of Maple Leafs memorabilia.[234] In 2023, he stated that he "likes watching players more than teams", and named the Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins as the two teams he most enjoys watching for that reason.[235] Outside of hockey, he supports the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Blue Jays game in 2016.[236]

On June 21, 2017, Electronic Arts revealed that McDavid would be the cover athlete for NHL 18, their annual installment of the NHL video game series.[237] Additionally, McDavid's unique skating style inspired the Real Player Motion technology used in NHL 19, in which player size and other attributes affect their skating speed and power.[238] In 2022, McDavid was one of several Canadian athletes to appear on boxes of Cheerios cereal as part of their "Be the Cheer" promotion, in which customers could write personalized messages to athletes competing at the Olympic Games.[239] That same year, McDavid became the first active professional athlete to serve as a brand ambassador for sports betting company BetMGM.[240]

Philanthropy

[edit]

McDavid is involved in charitable efforts with Edmonton's Indigenous community and has raised $85,000 to help Indigenous children play sports.[241] He is also involved in a shuttle program to help sick kids.[242]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]

Career statistics derived from Elite Prospects.[243]
Bold indicates led league.
Bold italics indicate NHL record.

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Toronto Marlboros GTHL U16 AAA 88 79 130 209 — — — — — —
2011–12 Toronto Marlboros GTHL U16 33 27 50 77 14 — — — — —
2012–13 Erie Otters OHL 63 25 41 66 36 — — — — —
2013–14 Erie Otters OHL 57 28 71 99 20 14 4 15 19 2
2014–15 Erie Otters OHL 47 44 76 120 48 20 21 28 49 12
2015–16 Edmonton Oilers NHL 45 16 32 48 18 — — — — —
2016–17 Edmonton Oilers NHL 82 30 70 100 26 13 5 4 9 2
2017–18 Edmonton Oilers NHL 82 41 67 108 26 — — — — —
2018–19 Edmonton Oilers NHL 78 41 75 116 20 — — — — —
2019–20 Edmonton Oilers NHL 64 34 63 97 28 4 5 4 9 2
2020–21 Edmonton Oilers NHL 56 33 72 105 20 4 1 3 4 0
2021–22 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 44 79 123 45 16 10 23 33 10
2022–23 Edmonton Oilers NHL 82 64 89 153 36 12 8 12 20 0
2023–24 Edmonton Oilers NHL 76 32 100 132 30 25 8 34 42 10
2024–25 Edmonton Oilers NHL 67 26 74 100 37 22 7 26 33 4
NHL totals 712 361 721 1,082 286 96 44 106 150 28

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 8 6 14 2
2014 Canada WJC 4th 7 1 3 4 4
2015 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 3 8 11 0
2016 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 1 8 9 6
2016 North America WCH 5th 3 0 3 3 4
2018 Canada WC 4th 10 5 12 17 10
2025 Canada 4NF 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 3 2 5 0
Junior totals 21 12 17 29 6
Senior totals 27 9 25 34 20

Awards, honours, and records

[edit]

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year Ref.
GTHL
Player of the Year 2012 [8]
Tim Adams Memorial Trophy 2012 [9]
OHL
Jack Ferguson Award 2012 [15]
Emms Family Award 2013 [23]
OHL First All-Rookie Team 2013 [23]
William Hanley Trophy 2014 [28]
Bobby Smith Trophy 2014, 2015 [29][40]
OHL Second All-Star Team 2014 [31]
Red Tilson Trophy 2015 [40]
OHL First All-Star Team 2015 [42]
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award 2015 [44]
CHL
Subway Super Series participant 2012, 2013 [19][26]
CHL Scholastic Player of the Year 2014, 2015 [30][41]
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (Team Cherry captain) 2015 [37]
CHL Player of the Year 2015 [41]
CHL Top Draft Prospect Award 2015 [41]
NHL
NHL All-Rookie Team 2016 [56]
NHL All-Star Game appearance (*captain) 2017*, 2018*, 2019*, 2020*, 2022*, 2023, 2024* [63][75][85][105][130]
NHL All-Star Skills Competition Fastest Skater 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 [64][76][86]
NHL All-Star Skills Competition Stick Handling 2024 [244]
NHL All-Star Skills Competition Accuracy Shooting 2024 [244]
NHL All-Star Skills Competition Golden Skate champion 2024 [244]
EA Sports NHL cover athlete 2018 [237]
Art Ross Trophy 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 [65][81][120][133][157]
Hart Memorial Trophy 2017, 2021, 2023 [72][122]
Ted Lindsay Award 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023 [72][81][122]
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy 2023 [157]
NHL First All-Star Team 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 [72][81][99][121]
Best NHL Player ESPY Award 2022, 2023, 2024
NHL Second All-Star Team 2022, 2024
Conn Smythe Trophy 2024 [181]
Edmonton Oilers
Molson Cup 2017, 2018
Most Popular Player 2016, 2017, 2018
Top First Year Oiler 2016
Zane Feldman Trophy 2017, 2018
International
World U-17 Hockey Challenge All-Star Team 2013 [186]
IIHF World U18 Championship Best Forward 2013 [189]
IIHF World U18 Championship Most Valuable Player 2013 [189]
IIHF World Junior Championship Media All-Star Team 2015 [193]

Records

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Connor McDavid

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Connor McDavid (born January 13, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who serves as the captain of the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he has established himself as one of the league's premier playmakers and scorers, amassing 1,157 points in his career as of January 2026. At 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 194 pounds (88 kg), McDavid is known for his exceptional speed, vision, and skill, often compared to hockey legends for his on-ice dominance. Born in , McDavid was granted exceptional player status by at age 15, allowing him to play major junior hockey early; he starred with the Erie Otters of the (OHL) from 2012 to 2015. McDavid made his NHL debut in the 2015–16 season but suffered a fractured , limiting him to 45 games while still tallying 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists). In 2016, at just 19 years and 266 days old, he became the youngest captain in NHL history, surpassing Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog's mark. His career highlights include leading the league in scoring five times to win the (2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23), earning the as NHL MVP three times (2016–17, 2020–21, 2022–23), and capturing the as playoff MVP in 2024. Additionally, he won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals in 2022–23 and the for most outstanding player (as voted by the NHL Players' Association) four times (2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2022–23). In November 2024, McDavid reached his 1,000th NHL point, and by January 2025, he had surpassed for second place on the Oilers' all-time points list with 1,044. On November 4, 2025, he became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,100 career points.

Early life

Family background

Connor McDavid was born on January 13, 1997, in , , to parents Brian and Kelly McDavid. His father, Brian, played hockey during his high school years and later served as a youth hockey coach, including stints with teams like the York Simcoe Express, where he helped guide young players including his son. Brian, a fan, worked in business strategy and logistics, eventually becoming Divisional Vice President of Distribution at . Kelly McDavid, née McNamara, holds a B.A. in Psychology from and worked as Director of Human Resources at from 2006 to 2021, providing emotional support and stability to the family while initially having limited interest in hockey herself. The McDavids' family dynamics emphasized encouragement and balance, with focusing on skill development through coaching and Kelly nurturing emotional growth and involvement in programs. McDavid has an older brother, Cameron, born on May 6, 1993, who also pursued hockey at the junior level in , playing for teams such as the Georgina in the COJHL, though he later transitioned to a career in business, earning an H.B.A. from and working in finance. McDavid grew up in a suburban environment in the Newmarket area of , where the family moved shortly after his birth, fostering a close-knit household that prioritized family support and active lifestyles. Early childhood included initial exposure to sports like hockey, influenced by his father's background, and , which he played on a local team such as the Newmarket Redmen alongside other young athletes. This setting provided a foundation of recreational activities that aligned with the family's Canadian roots and emphasis on physical development.

Introduction to hockey

Connor McDavid first took to the ice on outdoor rinks in , at the age of three, quickly demonstrating natural aptitude for skating that set the foundation for his hockey career. By age four, he was playing organized hockey, joining the York Simcoe Express in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), where his father served as coach. Under this familial guidance, McDavid helped lead the team to four consecutive OMHA championships during his early years, often competing against older players due to his advanced skills. McDavid's progression through minor hockey continued with the of the (GTHL) from 2006 to 2012, spanning peewee, bantam, and minor midget levels. In these formative stages, he established himself as a prodigious talent, breaking scoring records at peewee and bantam ages with exceptional offensive output that highlighted his speed, vision, and playmaking ability. His family's support, including dedicated sessions on backyard rinks and drives to practices, played a key role in nurturing this early development. A pinnacle came in his minor midget season with the Marlboros, where he amassed 209 points (79 goals and 130 assists) in regular play, earning GTHL Player of the Year honors and underscoring his dominance at the underage level. This remarkable trajectory culminated in 2012 when Hockey Canada granted McDavid exceptional player status at age 15—the third such designation in history—allowing him to forgo his final midget season and enter the (OHL) draft early.

Playing career

Junior hockey

McDavid was granted exceptional player status by in March 2012, allowing him to enter the (OHL) at the age of 15, a rare designation previously awarded to only a handful of prospects like and . He was subsequently selected first overall by the in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection draft, held on April 6, 2012, marking the beginning of his major junior career. Over three seasons with the Otters from to , McDavid established himself as one of the most dominant players in OHL history, accumulating 285 points (97 goals and 188 assists) in 166 regular-season games. His playmaking ability was particularly evident, as he led the league in assists during his final two seasons and set a franchise record for the Otters with 188 career assists. In his rookie year of 2012–13, McDavid recorded 66 points in 63 games, earning OHL Rookie of the Year honors, before improving to 99 points in 56 games the following season. McDavid's pinnacle came in the 2014–15 season, where he posted 120 points (44 goals and 76 assists) in just 47 games, leading the OHL in assists and ranking second overall in scoring behind teammate . This performance not only propelled the Otters to the top of the Western but also highlighted McDavid's elite speed, vision, and scoring touch, drawing comparisons to NHL legends even at the junior level. His exceptional season earned him multiple accolades, including the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's Most Outstanding Player and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Year award, recognizing his impact across major junior hockey. McDavid's dominance culminated in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected first overall by the on June 26, 2015, in a selection widely regarded as unanimous among scouts and teams.

NHL rookie season and early years (2015–2017)

Connor McDavid made his NHL debut with the on October 8, 2015, against the at , where he recorded an assist in a 2-1 overtime loss despite the high expectations as the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Just five days later, on October 13, 2015, McDavid scored his first NHL goal in a 4-2 loss to the , tipping in a shot from defenseman Andrej Sekera at the age of 18 years and 266 days. These early moments showcased his speed and skill, though his rookie season was soon interrupted by injury. During the 2015–16 season, McDavid tallied 48 points (16 goals and 32 assists) in 45 games before suffering a fractured left on November 3, 2015, after crashing into the boards during a game against the , which sidelined him for the remaining 37 games. Despite the setback, his performance earned him a spot on the and positioned him as a finalist for the , highlighting his rapid adaptation to professional hockey. McDavid had signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on July 3, 2015, worth $3.775 million, which underscored the team's investment in his potential. In the 2016–17 season, McDavid emerged as a dominant force, recording 100 points (30 goals and 70 assists) in 82 games and leading the NHL in scoring among players under 21. On October 5, 2016, at 19 years and 266 days old, he was named the 15th in Oilers history, becoming the youngest in NHL history, a role that reflected his leadership and on-ice influence. His contributions were pivotal in guiding to the for the first time since 2006, clinching the berth with a 2-1 win over the on March 28, 2017, where McDavid's overall play helped the team finish with 103 points and second place in the Pacific Division. Following this breakout year, McDavid signed an eight-year contract extension with the Oilers on July 5, 2017, valued at $100 million, securing his long-term commitment to the franchise.

Captaincy and team challenges (2017–2020)

In the 2017–18 season, McDavid continued to lead the as captain, appointed the previous year, while guiding a team that struggled with consistency and depth. Despite his individual brilliance, the Oilers finished with a 36–40–6 record, earning 78 points and missing the for the first time since McDavid's rookie year. McDavid topped the NHL with 108 points (41 goals, 67 assists) in 78 games, securing his second consecutive as the league's leading scorer. His exceptional performance also earned him the as the NHL's most valuable player and the as the most outstanding player, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and NHL Players' Association, respectively. The following 2018–19 season amplified the challenges under McDavid's leadership, as the Oilers again failed to reach the postseason amid ongoing defensive and goaltending woes. The team posted a 35–38–9 record, totaling 79 points and finishing 11th in the Western Conference, despite McDavid's career-high 116 points (41 goals, 75 assists) in 78 games, which placed him second in league scoring behind . Cam Talbot's performance declined sharply, posting a .913 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average, contributing to the Oilers ranking 25th in goals against per game (3.23). Roster instability further hampered progress, with coaching changes—including the midseason firing of and replacement by —and multiple trades, such as acquiring and Tobias Rieder, failing to stabilize the lineup. McDavid expressed visible frustration with the team's shortcomings, particularly after a late-season injury and the overall lack of support around him, fueling speculation about his long-term commitment to . The 2019–20 season, impacted by the , saw McDavid play 64 games and record 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists), finishing second in the league behind teammate . The Oilers finished with a 37–25–9 record in 71 games, totaling 83 points and securing a spot in the expanded playoff format. However, defensive vulnerabilities lingered, with the Oilers allowing 3.13 goals per game (20th in the NHL), exacerbated by goaltending inconsistencies from Mike Smith and new addition James Neal's underperformance. Under new head coach , roster adjustments included signing Neal and trading for , but these moves did not fully address the blue-line weaknesses. The Oilers' early playoff exit in the qualifying round—a 3–1 loss to the —intensified McDavid's frustration, leading to a public outburst about the organization's direction and the second straight year without advancing beyond the first round.

Individual dominance and playoff contention (2020–2024)

During the , shortened to 56 games due to the , McDavid led the league with 105 points (33 goals and 72 assists), earning his third as the top scorer. He also captured the as the league's and the as the most outstanding player, becoming the first to sweep these honors since 1992–93. In the playoffs, the qualified for the postseason but were swept 4–0 by the in the first round, with McDavid recording 10 points in four games. In 2021–22, McDavid continued his scoring prowess, amassing 123 points (44 goals and 79 assists) in 80 games to secure his fourth , the highest point total by an Oilers player since 1989–90. The Oilers advanced deeper in the playoffs, defeating the in seven games and the in five games before falling 4–0 to the in the Western Conference Final, where McDavid tallied 14 points in 16 games. This run marked a significant step up in team contention following earlier postseason disappointments. The 2022–23 season represented the pinnacle of McDavid's regular-season dominance, as he set a personal best with 153 points (64 goals and 89 assists) in 82 games, winning his fifth , the as the leading goal scorer, and his third . Despite this individual excellence, the Oilers were eliminated in the second round of the by the in six games, with McDavid contributing 33 points in 16 contests. McDavid's 2023–24 campaign featured 132 points (32 goals and 100 assists) in 76 games, tying for second in league scoring and marking his sixth Hart Trophy finalist nod. The Oilers mounted their deepest playoff run since 2006, overcoming the Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and Vancouver Canucks to reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost 4–3 to the Florida Panthers; McDavid led all players with 42 playoff points (8 goals and 34 assists) in 25 games, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP despite the defeat. This performance underscored his transformative impact on the team's resurgence to championship contention.

Recent seasons and milestones (2024–present)

In the 2024–25 season, McDavid recorded 100 points (26 goals and 74 assists) in 67 games before an injury limited his play. He captained the while also representing at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February 2025, where he scored the overtime-winning goal 8:18 into the extra frame of the final against the , securing a 3–2 victory and 's fourth consecutive best-on-best international title. During the that spring, McDavid led all players with 26 assists and 33 points in 22 games, setting a new benchmark for postseason production despite the Oilers' eventual elimination. A key career milestone came on November 3, 2025, when McDavid recorded two assists in a game against the , reaching 1,100 NHL points in his 726th career game and becoming the fourth-fastest player in league history to achieve the mark. This accomplishment highlighted his sustained elite production, building on prior feats such as his 64-goal season in 2022–23, where he became the 22nd player in NHL history to reach that threshold and the second-fastest to do so in the past 30 years. Entering the 2025–26 season, McDavid signed a two-year extension with the Oilers on October 6, 2025, worth $25 million and maintaining his average annual value at $12.5 million, a team-friendly deal that extends his tenure in through the 2027–28 season. As of November 18, 2025, he had tallied 30 points (nine goals and 21 assists) in 21 games, leading the league in assists after improving from an early-season scoring slump, while the Oilers held a 9–8–4 record. On January 6, 2026, McDavid recorded a hat trick, including his fourth career penalty shot goal, in the Edmonton Oilers' 6–2 victory over the Nashville Predators at Rogers Place, extending his point streak to 16 games with 17 goals and 22 assists during that span and recording his 75th point of the season. This was his second hat trick of the 2025–26 season and 14th of his NHL career, passing Mark Messier for fourth-most in Oilers history, with the three goals bringing his season total to 28 and surpassing his entire 2024–25 season output of 26 goals. Leon Draisaitl and Kasperi Kapanen also scored for Edmonton, improving the team's record to 21-16-6. The third goal was assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, marking Nugent-Hopkins' 500th career NHL assist. As of January 7, 2026, he has tallied 75 points (28 goals and 47 assists) in 43 games, continuing to lead the league in assists. On January 8, 2026, McDavid recorded one goal and one assist in the Edmonton Oilers' 4–3 comeback victory from a 3–1 deficit over the Winnipeg Jets, extending his point streak to 17 games—matching his career high—with 18 goals and 23 assists during that span; Evan Bouchard scored the game-winning goal. On January 10, 2026, McDavid scored his 30th goal of the season on a third-period power play to tie the game at 3–3, extending his point streak to a career-high 18 games with 19 goals and 23 assists during the streak, though a potential overtime goal was disallowed after video review for goaltender interference; the Oilers lost 4–3 in a shootout to the Los Angeles Kings.

International career

Junior international play

McDavid made his international debut with Team Ontario at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in and , , where he recorded nine points (six goals and three assists) in five games, tying for sixth in tournament scoring and earning a spot on the all-star team as top forward. Representing at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in , , he led all players with 14 points (eight goals and six assists) in seven games, helping secure the gold medal in a 3–2 overtime win over the in the final; McDavid was named the tournament's and top forward by the IIHF directorate. As a 16-year-old underager, McDavid joined Canada's roster for the 2014 IIHF World Under-20 Championship in , , contributing four points (one goal and three assists) in seven games despite the team's fourth-place finish after losses in the semifinal and bronze-medal game. Returning as an 17-year-old for the 2015 IIHF World Under-20 Championship in and , , he tallied 11 points (three goals and eight assists) in seven games—second among Canadian skaters—to lead the host nation to gold with a 3–2 overtime victory against in the final, where his breakaway goal in the gold-medal game proved decisive.

Senior international play

McDavid made his senior international debut for at the in and , , where he recorded 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points in 10 games. His performance contributed to Canada's victory, including scoring the opening goal in the 2–0 final win over . McDavid did not participate in the , as the advanced to the that season; earned silver in his absence. At the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in and , McDavid led to the gold medal, delivering the clinching in a 3–2 final victory over the .

Playing style

On-ice skills and attributes

Connor McDavid is renowned for his elite skating ability, often cited as the fastest skater in the NHL, with exceptional acceleration and top-end speed that allow him to outpace defenders and create scoring opportunities. McDavid holds the record for most wins in the NHL All-Star Skills Fastest Skater competition, with four victories (2017, 2018, 2019, 2024). His edge work is unparalleled, enabling tight turns and deceptive directional changes while maintaining puck possession at high velocities. This combination of speed and agility is complemented by superior puck control, where McDavid handles the puck with minimal disruption even under pressure, and his hockey sense provides exceptional vision to anticipate plays and execute precise passes. Offensively, McDavid's prowess is defined by his playmaking and goal-scoring capabilities, amassing 742 assists and 370 goals over his as of the 2025–26 season, establishing him as one of the league's most productive forwards. His ability to thread passes through tight defenses and generate assists on high-danger chances has been a of his game, while his deceptive shot and positioning have led to consistent scoring, including four 40-goal seasons. In recent years, McDavid has shown notable defensive improvements, contributing to takeaways and backchecking efforts that enhance his overall two-way impact. Physically, McDavid stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 194 pounds, a frame that supports his and allows him to log over 20 minutes of ice time per game regularly, often leading his team in even-strength and power-play minutes. This stamina enables sustained high-intensity play without significant performance drop-off, underscoring his conditioning and role as a durable top-line .

Comparisons and influence

McDavid has often been compared to hockey legends and , particularly for his unparalleled speed, playmaking vision, and ability to dominate games athletically. Analysts note that his explosive skating and skill set evoke Lemieux's physical prowess and Gretzky's hockey intelligence, positioning McDavid as a modern heir to their offensive brilliance. From an early age, McDavid earned the moniker "The Next One," a label reserved for rare generational talents, with identifying his exceptional potential in 2012 due to similar elite playmaking abilities. McDavid's presence has significantly elevated the ' profile, transforming the franchise from perennial underachievers into consistent playoff contenders and reigniting fan enthusiasm in the . His stardom has also broadened hockey's appeal, inspiring young players worldwide through his work ethic and on-ice dominance, setting a new standard for aspiring athletes. Additionally, as the cover athlete for ' video game in , McDavid increased the sport's visibility among younger audiences, reflecting his cultural impact beyond the rink. As the youngest captain in NHL history when appointed in at age 19, McDavid exemplifies by example, fostering unity in the Oilers' locker room through positive and strategic guidance during high-pressure moments. He has mentored key teammates like , enhancing their performance through unselfish playmaking and shared accountability, which has solidified their dynamic as one of the league's most formidable duos. , a Hall of Famer and former Oiler, has praised McDavid's evolution into a top-tier leader who elevates those around him without seeking the spotlight.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Connor McDavid has been married to Lauren Kyle since July 27, 2024, when the couple wed in a multi-day ceremony in Muskoka, Ontario. They became engaged in June 2023, with McDavid proposing during a summer getaway to the same scenic lake region where they later exchanged vows. The pair first met as teenagers in Ontario and have maintained a long-term relationship, with Kyle, an interior designer, often joining McDavid at events and supporting his NHL career. McDavid shares a close relationship with his parents, Brian and Kelly McDavid, who have been instrumental in his development as a hockey player and person. Kelly, in particular, serves as his primary off-ice and emotional anchor, providing unwavering support throughout his professional journey. , a former youth hockey coach, helped foster McDavid's early passion for the sport alongside his siblings. McDavid's older brother, Cameron, born in 1993, also pursued hockey, playing junior levels including two seasons with the OJHL's Newmarket Hurricanes from 2009 to 2011 and a brief stint with the OHL's . Though Cameron did not advance to professional ranks, the brothers remain tight-knit, with Cameron frequently attending Connor's games and offering familial perspective on his stardom. Since being drafted by the in 2015, McDavid has made his primary residence, where he and Kyle share a custom-built, three-story modern home designed for comfort and functionality. During , he returns to the area, often training and spending time in his hometown of .

Interests and endorsements

McDavid is a lifelong fan of the , having grown up in , idolizing the team during his childhood. He has expressed that supporting the Leafs was challenging at times due to their performance but maintained his loyalty as a hometown supporter. Similarly, McDavid has been a Toronto Blue Jays supporter since childhood, recently voicing heartbreak over their 2025 Game 7 loss, describing it as leaving him "gutted" and relating it to his own experiences with high-stakes defeats. Beyond hockey, McDavid enjoys as one of his primary hobbies, often spending time on the course during the offseason to relax and stay active. He has also been an avid player, particularly engaging with titles like the NHL series, and has discussed the "video game curse" associated with cover athletes in interviews. In terms of business ventures, McDavid has invested in Canadian technology companies, including recovery device maker Hyperice in 2021 and live streaming platform during its 2021 Series A funding round. McDavid's endorsement portfolio has significantly bolstered his off-ice profile and earnings, estimated at around $6 million annually from sponsorships as of 2025. He signed an early multiyear deal with Under Armour in 2015, becoming one of the NHL's top endorsement talents as a rookie. His longstanding partnership with BioSteel began in 2014 during his junior career and lasted until 2023, promoting the sports drink as an original ambassador before transitioning to BodyArmor in a multiyear agreement. McDavid also endorsed Sport Chek through Canadian Tire, appearing in promotional events and campaigns starting in 2014. A notable highlight was his selection as the cover athlete for EA Sports' NHL 18 video game in 2017, the first Canadian to grace the North American cover since 2010. Current deals include partnerships with Adidas as a brand ambassador since 2015, BetMGM for sports betting promotion since 2022, Alo Yoga, and a 2025 Coca-Cola campaign.

Philanthropy

Charitable foundations

McDavid supports organizations focused on the , wellness, and of in need, with a particular emphasis on children, through various initiatives. Through his charitable efforts, McDavid has hosted annual tournaments to raise funds for youth programs, including the Connor McDavid & Friends Par 3 , which brings together NHL stars and community members for charitable causes. These events underscore his commitment to fostering positive impacts on young lives beyond the ice. McDavid has provided ongoing support to Make-A-Wish Canada, participating in wish-fulfillment activities such as private skating sessions with children at in . In one notable instance, he granted a young fan's wish to meet and skate with him, creating memorable experiences for children facing serious illnesses. In addition to his philanthropic work, McDavid has made direct personal contributions to youth health initiatives, including a $100,000 pledge to the Ben Stelter Fund in 2022, which honors a young fan and aids families of children battling cancer by funding medical equipment, research, and special experiences. He has continued this involvement by visiting schools participating in Ben Stelter Foundation fundraisers and promoting raffles during playoff seasons to amplify donations.

Community initiatives

McDavid has actively engaged in community programs aimed at youth hockey development and accessibility, particularly through partnerships with Hockey Alberta and the . He promotes participation among underprivileged children by serving as an incentive for fundraising efforts, such as the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser (BSSF), where schools raise money for support with the chance to host a visit from him. In 2025, the program set a goal to involve 97 additional schools—honoring his jersey number—and raise $200,000, building on previous successes where student-led initiatives collected over $11,000 in a single week at one school. Through the ' community outreach, McDavid conducts annual visits to hospitals to uplift pediatric patients and their families during the holiday season. In 2015, he joined teammates at Edmonton's Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, interacting with children and distributing gifts. The following year, he participated in similar visits across multiple facilities, signing autographs and delivering presents alongside players like and . McDavid also attends school assemblies to inspire students and recognize their community contributions, often tied to hockey-related causes. In December 2023, he surprised students at Nellie Carlson School in southwest after they raised $15,000 for the Ben Stelter Foundation, a charity close to his heart. The next year, he visited Ottewell School following their win in the BSSF lottery, celebrating their efforts with photos and encouragement. These engagements highlight his role in fostering youth involvement in and sports. In support of Indigenous youth sports, McDavid has contributed hands-on efforts through Oilers-backed initiatives targeting physical activity in underserved communities. In 2018, he joined 300 Indigenous children for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Games at Edmonton's Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre, participating in activities to promote inclusive recreation. This event supported the Ever Active Schools program, which facilitates sports access for thousands of Indigenous kids annually in Alberta. Following Canada's victory in the 2025 4 Nations —where McDavid scored the overtime-winning goal—his community momentum continued with heightened participation in youth programs. These post-tournament efforts emphasized hockey's role in building resilience among local youth, aligning with ongoing Oilers collaborations to expand accessible programming.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

McDavid made his NHL debut with the in the 2015–16 season, immediately establishing himself as a prolific scorer and . Over his through the partial 2025–26 season, he has appeared in 733 regular-season games, recording 370 goals, 742 assists, and 1,112 points, while posting a rating of +166. The following table summarizes McDavid's regular-season performance by season, including games played (GP), goals (G), assists (A), points (Pts), and plus/minus (+/-):
SeasonGPGAPts+/-
2015–1645163248-1
2016–1782307010027
2017–1882416710820
2018–197841751163
2019–2064346397-6
2020–2156337210521
2021–2280447912328
2022–2382648915322
2023–24763210013235
2024–2567267410020
2025–26*2192130-3
Career7333707421,112166
*Partial season as of November 18, 2025. In the , McDavid has played 88 games, amassing 31 goals, 90 assists, and 121 points with a of +31. His postseason production has been particularly dominant in recent years, including a standout 2023–24 run where he tallied 42 points (8 goals, 34 assists) in 25 games to lead the Oilers to the Final, earning the as playoff MVP. In the –25 , he contributed 33 points (7 goals, 26 assists) over 22 games as again reached the conference final.

International statistics

Connor McDavid has represented in international competition at both junior and senior levels, showcasing his scoring prowess in high-stakes tournaments. His junior international totals stand at 26 (GP), 18 goals (G), 20 assists (A), and 38 points (P) across the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF World Under-18 Championship, and two IIHF World Junior Championships. The following table summarizes McDavid's performance in key junior tournaments:
TournamentYearGPGAP
20135639
201378614
20147134
201573811
At the senior level, McDavid has tallied 24 GP, 9 G, 22 A, and 31 P across two IIHF World Championships and the 2025 NHL . His contributions include leading to in 2016 and a fourth-place finish in 2018 at the Worlds, as well as captaining the team to victory in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where he scored the overtime winner in the final against the . The following table details his senior international statistics:
TournamentYearGPGAP
IIHF World Championship201610189
IIHF World Championship20181051217
NHL 4 Nations Face-Off20254325

Awards and honors

Major individual awards

Connor McDavid has amassed an impressive collection of major individual awards during his NHL career, recognizing his exceptional scoring, leadership, and overall impact on the game. These honors include multiple wins in several prestigious categories, establishing him as one of the league's premier talents. The , awarded annually to the NHL's leading point scorer in the regular season, has been claimed by McDavid five times. He first won it in the 2016-17 season with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assists), becoming the youngest recipient since in 1980-81. McDavid repeated as winner in 2017-18 (108 points), 2020-21 (105 points), 2021-22 (123 points), and 2022-23 (153 points), tying for fourth all-time in total victories behind (10), and (6 each). McDavid has also secured the , given to the league's as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, on three occasions. His first win came in 2016-17, where he led the Oilers to the and earned unanimous support in key categories. He repeated in 2020-21 as the only unanimous selection since Gretzky in 1982, and again in 2022-23 after posting the highest single-season point total since 1995-96. These victories place him among an elite group, with only four players winning the Hart three or more times. The , honoring the most outstanding player as voted by the NHL Players' Association, has gone to McDavid four times: in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21, and 2022-23. This ties him with for the second-most wins in award history (renamed from the in 2010) behind Gretzky's five, underscoring peer recognition of his dominance. His 2022-23 victory came alongside a league-record four individual awards in one season. In 2022-23, McDavid also captured the as the NHL's top goal scorer, tallying a career-high 64 goals in 82 games—his first and only win in this category to date. This performance highlighted his evolution as a complete offensive force. McDavid earned the as the most valuable player of the 2024 , despite the falling in Game 7 of the Final. He set a record with 42 points (8 goals, 34 assists) in 25 games, including 31 points on the power play, becoming the first player to win the award without his team capturing the Cup since in 1987. This marked his 14th individual NHL award overall, trailing only Gretzky (31) among historical leaders.

Team achievements and records

As captain of the since October 5, 2016—the youngest in NHL history at age 19—Connor McDavid has guided the team to multiple appearances, including deep postseason runs that revitalized the franchise. Under his , the Oilers qualified for the in five of his first eight full seasons, amassing 51 playoff wins since his 2015-16 debut, ranking sixth in the league over that span. McDavid's on-ice contributions were pivotal in the 2024 , where he tallied 42 points (8 goals, 34 assists) in 25 games to lead Edmonton to the Final against the , marking the team's first appearance there since 2006 despite ultimately falling in seven games. McDavid holds several franchise and league records that underscore his impact on the Oilers' success. In the 2022–23 season, he set the Edmonton single-season points record with 153 (64 goals, 89 assists) in 82 games, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's previous club mark of 137 from 1983–84. During the 2024 playoffs, McDavid established an NHL record for most assists in a single postseason with 34, eclipsing Gretzky's mark of 31 set in 1988. He also became the fourth-fastest player in league history to reach 1,000 career points, achieving the milestone in 659 games on November 14, 2024, with a goal against the . Beyond club accomplishments, McDavid's scoring prowess as captain includes becoming the youngest team leader to win the in 2016–17 at age 20, when he led the NHL with 100 points. That same 2022–23 campaign featured his first 60-goal season, culminating in 64 goals and joining him with an elite group of 22 NHL players to reach that threshold.

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