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, the captain and centre for the Edmonton Oilers, is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Drafted first overall in 2015, he is widely regarded as one of the best hockey players globally. His exceptional offensive skills are frequently compared to those of Wayne Gretzky, highlighting his significant impact on the sport.

Sections (4)

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

2001: Otters Reached 100 Points as a Team

In March 2014, McDavid helped the Otters reach 100 points as a team for the first time since 2001.

2006: Oilers Last Stanley Cup Finals

The 2023-24 season marked the first time the Oilers had made it to the Stanley Cup Finals since 2006.

2009: Participated in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament

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

2011: McDavid 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: Drafted First Overall by the 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, allowing him to play junior ice hockey at 15. That year, the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected him first overall in the draft.

2012: Joined Erie Otters

McDavid joined the Erie Otters for the 2012-13 season, where he scored his first OHL goal on September 21.

March 10, 2013: Set Franchise Record for Rookie Assists

On March 10, 2013, McDavid picked up his 37th assist of the season, setting a franchise record for rookie assists for the Erie Otters.

2013: World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2013, Connor McDavid played in the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, leading Team Ontario with nine points but ultimately losing to Team Pacific. He was named to the tournament all-star team despite the loss.

2013: Won Gold at IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2013, McDavid represented Canada and won a gold medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships.

2013: Otters opened the 2013-14 season

The Otters opened the 2013-14 season with 25 points in their first 15 games, including a 10-game winning streak. McDavid had five goals and 28 points personally during this stretch.

2014: 2014-15 OHL Season

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

During training camp for the 2014-15 season, McDavid was named the captain of the Erie Otters.

2014: World Junior Ice Hockey Championship

In 2014, 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: Signs entry-level contract with the 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. He nearly scored twice but was stopped by Brian Elliott in a 3–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

2015: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

During the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada, McDavid served as an alternate captain and helped Canada secure the gold medal. He tied for first in tournament points with 11 and was named to the media all-star team.

2015: Drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers

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

2015: Joined the Oilers for the 2015-16 Season

McDavid joined the Oilers for the 2015–16 season.

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 career 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 a goal in the gold-medal match against Finland to secure the tournament win. He was also named captain of Team North America for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

2016: IIHF World Championship Victory

In 2016, McDavid won his first international gold medal at the IIHF World Championship after Canada shutout Finland 2-0.

2016: Named Youngest Captain in NHL History

In 2016, at age 19, McDavid was appointed the youngest captain in NHL history by the Oilers.

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. McDavid scored his first NHL postseason goal in the opening-round series.

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: Signs contract extension with the Oilers

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

2018: Consecutive 41-goal seasons

Although the Oilers missed the Stanley Cup playoffs during the next two seasons, McDavid scored 41 goals in consecutive years following the 2016-17 season.

2018: IIHF World Championship

In 2018, McDavid captained Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Denmark, where the team finished without a medal. He ended the tournament third in scoring.

2019: Leg Injury Prevents Participation in IIHF World Championship

In 2019, McDavid intended to play for Canada at the IIHF World Championship but was unable to participate due to a leg injury suffered at the end of the NHL season.

2020: Recorded 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 5–2 victory for the Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks.

May 9, 2021: McDavid reaches 100 points

On May 9, 2021, Connor McDavid reached 100 points in the 53rd game of the pandemic-shortened season during a four-point performance against the Vancouver Canucks.

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.

December 2021: NHL Declares No Players Will Participate in Olympics

In December 2021, the NHL announced that no players would be allowed to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics due to COVID-19 outbreaks, upsetting McDavid, who had dreamed of playing in the Olympics.

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

On October 12, 2022, Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick against the Vancouver Canucks and reached 700 career points, becoming the sixth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the milestone.

2022: Oilers advance to Western Conference Final

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

2022: Named to Canadian Roster for 2022 Winter Olympics

In 2022, McDavid was initially named to the Canadian roster for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, but NHL players were ultimately not allowed to participate due to COVID-19 concerns.

2022: Won Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

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

2023: Oilers reached 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 of 2023, the Oilers hired Jeff Jackson, McDavid's longtime agent, as the CEO of hockey operations.

April 15, 2024: McDavid records 100th assist

On April 15, 2024, Connor McDavid recorded his 100th assist of the 2023–24 season, becoming the fourth player in NHL history to reach the milestone.

2024: Won Conn Smythe Trophy

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

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, securing his first international gold medal in a senior-level tournament. He scored the game-winning goal against Team USA and was named Player of the Game.