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 captain and center for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. Drafted first overall in 2015 by the Oilers, McDavid is acknowledged as one of the top players in the world.

Sections (4)

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

2009: Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament Participation

In 2009, Connor McDavid participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his York Simcoe team.

2010: Jonathan Toews' Olympic Record

In 2026, during the Winter Olympics, McDavid broke Jonathan Toews' record for the most points in a single Olympics by a Canadian NHL player, a record Toews had held since 2010.

2011: Joins the Toronto Marlboros

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

2011: Leaves York Simcoe Express

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

April 7, 2012: Drafted by the Erie Otters

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

2012: Joins Erie Otters

In 2012, Connor McDavid joined the Erie Otters for the 2012-13 season.

2012: Granted Exceptional Player Status

In 2012, Connor McDavid was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to begin playing junior ice hockey at the age of 15.

2012: GTHL Player of the Year Award

In 2012, Connor McDavid won the GTHL Player of the Year Award.

March 10, 2013: Sets Franchise Record for Rookie Assists

On March 10, 2013, Connor McDavid set a franchise record for rookie assists with 37 for the Erie Otters, tying the record for most rookie points in Otters history.

2013: 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2013, Connor McDavid participated in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He led Team Ontario with nine points, despite the team finishing in sixth place. He was named to the tournament all-star team after the competition. Also in 2013, McDavid, at 16, was the youngest player in the World U18 Championships, where he led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and 14 assists, helping Canada win the gold medal.

2013: World U18 Championship Gold Medal

In 2013, Connor McDavid won a gold medal at the World U18 Championships representing Canada.

2014: Named Otters Captain

In 2014, Connor McDavid was named the captain of the Erie Otters for the 2014-15 season.

2014: 2014 World Junior Championships

In 2014, McDavid joined the Canadian junior team for the World Junior Championships, becoming one of the youngest players to do so. Although he contributed with a goal and three assists, his performance waned in the later games, and he saw limited ice time in the bronze medal match.

2014: OHL Career Concludes

In the 2014–15 season, Connor McDavid concluded his OHL career, recording 120 points and receiving several awards, including the Red Tilson Trophy and CHL Player of the Year awards.

2014: First edition with full NHL participation since 2014

The 2026 Winter Olympics, McDavid was named to Canada's team and was the first edition with full NHL participation since 2014.

July 3, 2015: Signed Entry-Level Contract with 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, where he was stopped twice by Brian Elliott.

2015: Joins the Edmonton Oilers

In 2015, Connor McDavid joined the Edmonton Oilers for the 2015–16 season. Despite an injury, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

2015: Drafted to the NHL

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

2015: World Junior Championship Gold Medal

In 2015, Connor McDavid won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships representing Canada.

October 5, 2016: Named Oilers Captain

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

December 18, 2016: First NHL Shootout Goal

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

2016: 2016 World Championship and World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, McDavid joined the Canadian senior team for the World Championship, scoring his first goal in the gold-medal match against Finland, helping Canada win the tournament. Also in 2016, he was named captain of Team North America for the World Cup of Hockey, recording three assists.

2016: Canada's Victory in 4 Nations Face-Off

In 2016, McDavid was named alternate captain of Canada's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off. He scored three goals, including the game-winning goal in the final against the United States, leading Canada to victory. He was named Player of the Game.

2016: Named Oilers Captain

In 2016, the Edmonton Oilers appointed 19-year-old Connor McDavid as the youngest captain in NHL history.

March 29, 2017: Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth

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

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, the latest 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: Consecutive 41-Goal Seasons

In 2018, Connor McDavid scored 41 goals for the Edmonton Oilers in consecutive years.

2018: NHL Financial Concerns Sideline McDavid from 2018 Winter Olympics

In 2018, McDavid missed a chance to participate in the Winter Olympics due to financial concerns from the NHL.

2018: 2018 World Championship

In 2018, McDavid was named captain of Canada at the World Championship, where he scored five goals and 13 points. However, Canada lost the bronze medal game, finishing without a medal for the first time since 2014.

2018: Record Breaking Season Start

In the 2018-19 NHL season, Connor McDavid broke Adam Oates' record, set in 1986–87, when Oates was involved in the Detroit Red Wings' first seven goals of the season, as McDavid earned a point in all nine of the Oiler's first goals.

2019: Injury prevents participation in 2019 World Championship

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

2019: NHLPA Voted McDavid Best Forward

In both 2019 and 2020, the NHLPA voted McDavid the best forward in the league.

2020: Shortened Season, 100 Points

In 2020–21, Connor McDavid recorded 100 points in a shortened 56-game NHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: NHLPA Voted McDavid Best Forward

In both 2019 and 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 5–2 win against the Vancouver Canucks.

May 9, 2021: McDavid reaches 100 points in the season

On May 9, 2021, Connor McDavid reached 100 points in the 53rd game of the pandemic-shortened season during a four-point game against the Canucks, marking the fastest 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. It was the eighth-longest point streak to begin a season in NHL history and the third-longest for the Oilers.

December 2021: NHL Withdraws From 2022 Winter Olympics

In December 2021, the NHL declared that no players would be allowed to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics, citing COVID-19 outbreaks. McDavid expressed his disappointment with the league's decision.

2021: Unanimous Hart Memorial Trophy Win

In 2021, McDavid joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players to unanimously win the Hart Memorial Trophy, as voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, marking a significant achievement in his career.

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

On October 12, 2022, Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick in the Oilers' season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, reaching 700 career points, becoming the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to achieve this milestone.

2022: Endorsement Deals with Cheerios and BetMGM

In 2022, McDavid appeared on boxes of Cheerios cereal as part of their "Be the Cheer" promotion. Also in 2022, he became a brand ambassador for sports betting company BetMGM, the first active professional athlete to do so.

2022: 2022 Winter Olympics

In 2022, McDavid was named to the Canadian roster for the Winter Olympics. However, the NHL decided not to participate due to COVID-19 outbreaks, preventing McDavid from realizing his dream of playing in the Olympics.

2023: Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy Winner

In 2022-23, Connor McDavid was the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner as the league's leading goal-scorer.

April 15, 2024: McDavid records 100th assist of the season

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 reach this milestone, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr.

2024: Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

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

October 6, 2025: McDavid signs two-year extension with Oilers

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

December 31, 2025: Named to 2026 Winter Olympics team

On December 31, 2025, McDavid was named to Canada's team for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which was the first edition with full NHL participation since 2014.

2026: 2026 Winter Olympics Silver Medal and Tournament MVP

In 2026, McDavid was named to Canada's team for the Winter Olympics and served as an alternate captain. He set records for most points and assists in a single Olympics by a Canadian NHL player. After an injury to Sidney Crosby, McDavid assumed the captaincy and led Canada to the final, where they lost to the United States and received the silver medal. McDavid was voted the tournament's most valuable player and best forward.