He is arguably the best player in the NHL and has been ever since he was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.
Actually, even long before he pulled on the classic white, blue, and orange Oilers jersey, Connor McDavid was touted as being a generational talent, along the lines of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Sydney Crosby.
As the captain of the Edmonton Oilers and one of, if not the most dominating scorer in today’s NHL, McDavid’s values both on and off the ice are among the highest in the league.
Family Life
Born on January 13, 1997, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Connor is the youngest of Kelly and Brian McDavid’s two sons (Cameron is his older brother). Starting at the age of three, Connor found his love for hockey. Soon his parents would enroll him in local youth hockey leagues, often ones that were older than he was. A multiple-time Ontario Minor Hockey Association champion on a team coached by his father, McDavid quickly elevated his game even more, joining the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
Junior Hockey
At the age of fifteen, McDavid made the decision to bypass playing collegiate hockey, and after obtaining exception player status, joined the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League as the first overall selection in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection draft. In his first season with the team, McDavid would be named the OHL Rookie of the Year, finishing with 25 goals and 41 assists in 63 games.
McDavid’s sophomore season with the Otters saw the young star fall short of the 100-point mark with 28 goals and 71 assists in 56 games, helping the team to a second-place regular season finish before ultimately falling in the Western Conference finals against the Guelph Storm.
McDavid continued his torrid pace on the OHL record books in his third and final season with the team. After recording 120 points in 47 games during the 2014-15 season, McDavid would finish his junior career winning the OHL Player of the Year award twice, in addition to capturing four other prestigious awards. As the most decorated player in league history, McDavid finished his junior career with 285 points in 167 games.
NHL Career
Despite Jack Eichel’s impressive collegiate career, there was no doubt as to who the Edmonton Oilers were taking with the first pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. While the team had a sprinkling of success, including one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, it did not have an elite-level player since Mark Messier left in the early 1990s.
While still a teenager, the Oilers showed their confidence in McDavid as a leader, naming him the team captain, the youngest in NHL history. While the Oilers would once again miss the playoffs and McDavid would fall short of winning the Calder Memorial Trophy, it was clear the future was bright.
During his nine seasons in Edmonton, McDavid has recorded seven 100+ point seasons, five of which were league-leading, including 153 points in 2022-2023. Although the Oilers have yet to return to the Stanley Cup Finals, they have reached the postseason in six of McDavid’s nine years with the team.
International Career
Since 2013, McDavid has been competing for Team Canada on some level. While a spot on the Olympic team has evaded him for reasons out of his control (2022 – Covid, 2018 – NHL decision), McDavid has still made his presence known for his country. In 2013 McDavid won gold in the World U18 Championships. Two years later he would lead Canada to the 2015 World Junior Championships gold medal. In 2016, McDavid and Canada won gold in the World Championships.
Accolades
Since arriving in Edmonton, McDavid has done nothing but collect league awards and smash records that many thought were unbreakable.
Art Ross Trophy (2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
Ted Lindsay Trophy (2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21, 2022-23)
Hart Memorial Trophy (2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)
Maurice Richard Trophy (2022-23)
NHL All-Rookie Team (2016)
NHL All-Star (2017-2024, there was no All-Star game in 2021)
NHL Contract
Prior to the start of his rookie season, McDavid signed a 3-year / $11.3 million deal which included over $3.7 million in incentives. Two years later, the Oilers inked McDavid to an 8-year / $100 million contract extension made up of a $1 million base salary and $10 million in signing bonuses, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL (Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon has since passed McDavid with a $12.6 million annual deal). During the 2023-24 season, McDavid earned $12.5 million from his NHL salary.
Endorsements
Thanks to his highlight reel appearances, boyish charm, and good looks, McDavid has been given plenty of opportunity to extend his earnings off the ice. Tied with Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin, McDavid pulls in an additional $5 million in endorsement money. Fans have likely seen the Oilers star in ads for BetMGM, CCM hockey gear, Adidas, Rogers, and Canada’s favorite pitstop Tim Hortons.
Various Canadian sportsbooks have noticed the increased awareness of Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers as favorites heading into the 2023-24 Stanley Cup playoff season. Through a combination of in-depth expert insight and real-time betting odds, sites like Mybettingcanada.com provide a comprehensive betting experience for all hockey fans, who are looking for the best sports betting sites during the NHL playoffs.
Net Worth
To date combining his NHL salary and endorsement earnings, Connor McDavid has a reported net worth of approximately $30 million.
