Connor McDavid

Early Life and Junior Career

Connor McDavid was born on January 13, 1997, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. He began skating at the age of three and started playing organized hockey at four, competing against older children due to his advanced skills. McDavid played minor hockey with the York-Simcoe Express and later joined the Toronto Marlboros in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). In the 2011-12 season, he recorded 79 goals and 130 assists for 209 points in 88 games at the midget level, earning the GTHL Player of the Year award.

Erie Otters

Granted 'Exceptional Player' status by Hockey Canada, McDavid entered the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) a year early and was selected first overall by the Erie Otters in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie season (2012-13), he tallied 66 points in 63 games, earning the Emms Family Award as the OHL Rookie of the Year. Over the next two seasons, McDavid's performance elevated, culminating in a 120-point season (44 goals, 76 assists) in 47 games during 2014-15. He received the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's Most Outstanding Player and was named the CHL Player of the Year.

Professional Career

McDavid was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on July 3, 2015, and made his NHL debut on October 8, 2015, against the St. Louis Blues. McDavid scored his first NHL goal on October 13, 2015, against the Dallas Stars. Despite missing 37 games in his rookie season due to a fractured clavicle, he recorded 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) in 45 games and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Captaincy and Early Achievements

On October 5, 2016, McDavid was named captain of the Oilers at 19 years and 266 days old, becoming the youngest captain in NHL history. In the 2016-17 season, he led the league with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assists), earning the Art Ross Trophy. McDavid also received the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player and the Ted Lindsay Award, as voted by his peers.

Continued Excellence

McDavid continued to dominate in subsequent seasons, securing multiple Art Ross Trophies and Ted Lindsay Awards. In the 2022-23 season, he achieved a career-high 153 points, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to surpass the 150-point mark in a single season. In the 2023-24 playoffs, McDavid set a record with 34 assists, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's previous record of 31, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, despite the Oilers falling short in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

International Play

McDavid has represented Canada at various international levels. He won gold at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, leading the tournament in scoring. At the 2015 World Junior Championships, he served as an alternate captain, contributing to Canada's gold medal victory. McDavid also captained Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and led Team Canada to gold at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, becoming the youngest player to join the Triple Gold Club.

Personal Life

Off the ice, McDavid married his long-time partner, Lauren Kyle, in August 2024. The couple met in 2016 and got engaged in 2023. Lauren Kyle is an interior designer and runs her own firm, Kyle & Co. Design Studio.

Career Statistics

As of the end of the 2023-24 NHL season, McDavid has amassed 341 goals and 660 assists, totaling 1,001 points in 659 regular-season games, making him the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.