Career Timeline of Connor McDavid: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Connor McDavid built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Connor McDavid is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, serving as the captain of the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. Drafted first overall in 2015, he's recognized as one of the sport's premier talents. His exceptional offensive skills and overall impact have prompted comparisons to the legendary Wayne Gretzky, highlighting his significant influence on the game.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2003: Last Player to win Conn Smythe Trophy without Winning Stanley Cup

In 2024, McDavid became the first player since Jean-Sébastien Giguère in 2003 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy without winning the Stanley Cup.

2006: Oilers last Stanley Cup Finals appearance

In 2023, McDavid captained the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals, marking their first appearance since 2006.

2011: Joined Toronto Marlboros

In 2011, McDavid left the York Simcoe Express to join the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).

April 7, 2012: Selected First Overall by Erie Otters

On April 7, 2012, the Erie Otters selected McDavid first overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.

2012: Granted Exceptional Player Status and Drafted by Erie Otters

In 2012, McDavid was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada and subsequently selected first overall by the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft.

2012: Joined the Erie Otters

McDavid joined the Erie Otters for the 2012–13 season, scoring his first OHL goal on September 21st.

2013: 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2013, Connor McDavid participated in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, leading Team Ontario with nine points but experiencing a 7–6 loss to Team Pacific. McDavid was named to the tournament all-star team. He also played in the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, being the youngest player at 16, and contributed significantly to Canada's victory, earning the titles of Best Forward and Tournament MVP.

2014: 2014-15 Season with Erie Otters

During the 2014-15 season, McDavid recorded 120 points and received several OHL and CHL awards, including the Red Tilson Trophy, Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, and CHL Player of the Year awards.

2014: Named Otters Captain and Hand Injury

In 2014, McDavid was named captain of the Erie Otters and later broke his hand in a fight on November 11th, causing him to miss several games.

2014: 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship

In 2014, at 16 years old, McDavid joined the Canadian junior team for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. He recorded a goal and three assists, but Canada lost the bronze medal match to Russia.

July 3, 2015: Signed Entry-Level Contract

On July 3, 2015, Connor McDavid signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $11.3 million, including potential bonus incentives.

October 9, 2015: NHL Debut

On October 9, 2015, Connor McDavid made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers in a 3–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He nearly scored twice but was stopped by Brian Elliott.

2015: Joined the Edmonton Oilers

In 2015, McDavid joined the Edmonton Oilers for the 2015–16 season after concluding his junior hockey career.

2015: Return from Injury and 100th Point of the Season

In 2015, McDavid returned from his hand injury on January 8th. In February he recorded his first OHL hat-trick and reached his 100th point of the season, leading to him being named OHL Player of the Month.

2015: 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2015, McDavid served as an alternate captain for Canada in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. His 11 points tied for first in the tournament, and Canada won the gold medal.

2015: Drafted First Overall by Edmonton Oilers

In 2015, McDavid was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL entry draft, marking a significant career milestone.

October 5, 2016: Named Oilers Captain

On October 5, 2016, Connor McDavid was named the captain of the Edmonton Oilers for the 2016–17 season, becoming the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years and 266 days old.

December 18, 2016: First Shootout Goal

On December 18, 2016, Connor McDavid scored his first NHL shootout goal against Ben Bishop to help the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3–2.

2016: 2016 IIHF World Championship and World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, McDavid participated in the IIHF World Championship, scoring his first goal in the gold-medal match as Canada won the tournament. Also in 2016, he captained Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, where he had three assists before the team's elimination.

2016: Named to NHL All-Rookie Team

In 2016, McDavid was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team despite missing three months of his rookie season due to a fractured clavicle.

2016: 2016 IIHF World Championship

In 2016, McDavid won a gold medal with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship.

March 29, 2017: Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth

On March 29, 2017, the Edmonton Oilers ended a 10-year playoff drought after defeating the Los Angeles Kings, clinching a berth in the 2017 playoffs.

June 21, 2017: Cover Athlete for NHL 18

On June 21, 2017, Electronic Arts announced that McDavid would be the cover athlete for NHL 18, their annual installment of the NHL video game series.

July 5, 2017: Signed Contract Extension

On July 5, 2017, Connor McDavid signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, set to begin at the start of the 2018–19 season.

2018: 2018 IIHF World Championship

In 2018, McDavid captained Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Denmark, recording five goals and 13 points. Canada finished without a medal for the first time since 2014.

2018: Consecutive 41 Goal Seasons

In 2018, McDavid scored 41 goals for the second consecutive year. The Oilers missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the next two seasons.

2019: Injury Prevents Participation in 2019 IIHF World Championship

In 2019, McDavid was slated to play for Canada at the IIHF World Championship, but a leg injury sustained at the end of the NHL season prevented his participation.

2020: 100 Points in Shortened Season

During the 2020–21 season, which was shortened to 56 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McDavid recorded 100 points for the fourth time in his career.

January 14, 2021: McDavid scores hat-trick against Canucks

On January 14, 2021, Connor McDavid scored the first hat-trick of the 2020–21 season in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, which the Oilers won 5–2.

May 9, 2021: McDavid reaches 100 points

On May 9, 2021, Connor McDavid reached 100 points in only 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, in a four-point game against the Vancouver Canucks, making him the fastest player to reach the milestone since Mario Lemieux in the 1995–96 season.

November 23, 2021: McDavid's Point Streak Ends

On November 23, 2021, Connor McDavid's 17-game point streak came to an end in a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars. This was the eighth-longest point streak to begin a season in NHL history and the third-longest for the Oilers.

December 2021: NHL Opts Out of 2022 Winter Olympics

In December 2021, the NHL announced that its players would not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

October 12, 2022: McDavid scores hat-trick, reaches 700 career points

On October 12, 2022, Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick against the Vancouver Canucks 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.

2022: Cheerios "Be the Cheer" Promotion and BetMGM Brand Ambassador

In 2022, McDavid was featured on Cheerios cereal boxes as part of the "Be the Cheer" promotion. In 2022, McDavid became the first active professional athlete to serve as a brand ambassador for sports betting company BetMGM.

2022: NHL Players Unavailable for 2022 Winter Olympics

In 2022, McDavid was selected for the Canadian roster for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, but NHL players were ultimately not allowed to participate due to COVID-19 concerns. McDavid expressed his disappointment, as playing in the Olympics had been a dream of his since childhood.

2023: Captained Oilers to Stanley Cup Finals

In 2023–24, McDavid captained the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals, marking their first appearance since 2006.

April 15, 2024: McDavid Records 100th Assist

On April 15, 2024, Connor McDavid recorded his 100th assist of the 2023-24 season, becoming the first NHL player in over three decades and the fourth in NHL history to reach this milestone.

2024: Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2024, McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite not winning the Stanley Cup.

2025: 2025 4 Nations Face-Off Victory

In 2025, McDavid was named alternate captain for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he recorded three goals, including the game-winning goal against Team USA, leading Canada to victory. He was named Player of the Game and secured his first international gold medal since 2016 in a senior-level "best on best" tournament.