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 center and captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Drafted first overall in 2015, he is considered one of the best players globally, known for his exceptional offensive skills and drawing comparisons to Wayne Gretzky. He currently plays in the NHL.

Sections (4)

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

2011: Joined Toronto Marlboros

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

April 7, 2012: Erie Otters Selected McDavid First Overall

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, allowing him to play junior ice hockey at 15. Also in 2012, the Erie Otters selected him first overall in the OHL draft.

2012: Joined the Otters

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

2013: World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2013, McDavid participated in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he led Team Ontario with nine points but the team finished in sixth place. Despite the team's performance, McDavid was named to the tournament all-star team.

2014: Named Otters Captain

During training camp in 2014, the Otters named McDavid their captain for the 2014-15 season.

2014: World Junior Ice Hockey Championship

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

July 3, 2015: McDavid signed with the Edmonton Oilers

On July 3, 2015, Connor McDavid signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $11.3 million, including up to $3.775 million annually in 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 both times by Brian Elliott.

2015: Joined the Oilers for the 2015-16 Season

After his junior hockey career, McDavid joined the Oilers for the 2015-16 season.

2015: Drafted First Overall by the Oilers

In 2015, Connor McDavid was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL entry draft.

October 5, 2016: McDavid 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 shootout goal against Ben Bishop to secure a 3–2 victory for the Edmonton Oilers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2016: IIHF World Championship & World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, McDavid joined the Canadian senior team for the IIHF World Championship, scoring his first goal in the gold-medal match against Finland. He was also named captain of Team North America for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

2016: International Gold Medal

In 2016, McDavid won his first international gold medal since 2016 in a senior-level tournament.

2016: Named Youngest Captain in NHL History

In 2016, the Oilers appointed McDavid, at 19 years old, as the youngest captain in NHL history.

March 29, 2017: Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth

On March 29, 2017, the Edmonton Oilers clinched a berth in the 2017 playoffs after defeating the Los Angeles Kings, ending a 10-year playoff drought for the team.

June 21, 2017: Cover Athlete for NHL 18

On June 21, 2017, Electronic Arts revealed that McDavid would be the cover athlete for NHL 18.

July 5, 2017: McDavid Signs 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: IIHF World Championship

In 2018, McDavid was named captain of Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Denmark, where he scored five goals and 13 points, but Canada finished without a medal for the first time since 2014.

January 2019: Peter Chiarelli Sacked

In January 2019, Peter Chiarelli was sacked as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, amidst criticism for his inability to build a competitive team around Connor McDavid.

2019: Leg Injury Prevents Participation

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

2019: NHLPA Voted Best Forward

In 2019, the NHLPA voted McDavid the best forward in the league.

2020: Fourth All-Star Game Appearance

In 2020, Connor McDavid made his fourth All-Star Game appearance as captain of the Pacific Division, but was kept from a fourth consecutive Fastest Skater win by Mathew Barzal.

2020: NHLPA Voted Best Forward

In 2020, the NHLPA voted McDavid the best forward in the league.

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

On January 14, 2021, Connor McDavid scored his 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 in the season

On May 9, 2021, Connor McDavid reached 100 points in the 2020-21 season in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. He reached this milestone in only 53 games, making him the fastest to reach 100 points since Mario Lemieux in the 1995-96 season.

November 23, 2021: McDavid's 17-game 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. It was the eighth-longest point streak to begin a season in NHL history.

December 2021: NHL Withdraws from Olympics

In December 2021, the NHL declared that no players would participate in the Olympic Games, citing COVID-19 outbreaks, which upset McDavid, who had dreamt of playing in the Olympics since he was a child.

2021: Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2021, McDavid joined Gretzky as the only players to unanimously win the Hart Memorial Trophy, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

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

On October 12, 2022, during the Oilers' season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, Connor 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.

2022: Cheerios "Be the Cheer" Promotion & Brand Ambassador for BetMGM

In 2022, McDavid appeared on boxes of Cheerios cereal as part of their "Be the Cheer" promotion and became a brand ambassador for sports betting company BetMGM.

2022: Oilers advance to Western Conference Final

In 2022, McDavid led the Oilers to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. They were eventually defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.

2022: Winter Olympics

In 2022, McDavid was selected to the Canadian roster for the Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, the NHL decided not to participate due to COVID-19 outbreaks, preventing McDavid from playing.

2023: Captained Oilers to Stanley Cup Finals

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

2023: Oilers hire Jeff Jackson as CEO of hockey operations

In the summer 2023 off-season, the Oilers hired Jeff Jackson, McDavid's longtime agent, to serve as the CEO of hockey operations.

April 15, 2024: McDavid records 100th assist, joins NHL history

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

2025: 4 Nations Face-Off Victory

In 2025, McDavid was named alternate captain for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off and led the team to victory against Team USA in the final game, scoring the game- and tournament-winning goal. He was named Player of the Game.