History of Connor McDavid in Timeline

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 hockey's premier talents. His exceptional offensive skills and overall impact on the game have led to comparisons with legendary figures like Wayne Gretzky, solidifying his reputation as a generational player.

Sections (4)

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

1982: Wayne Gretzky wins Hart Memorial Trophy

McDavid is one of only two players – after fellow Oilers captain Wayne Gretzky in 1982 – to unanimously win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player.

January 13, 1997: McDavid's Birthdate

McDavid was born on January 13, 1997, in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Otters Reach 100 points

In March McDavid's 25th goal of the season helped the Otters to reach 100 points as a team for the first time since 2001.

2003: Last player to win award while not winning Stanley Cup

McDavid went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, becoming only the sixth player, and first since Jean-Sébastien Giguère in 2003, to win the award despite not winning the Stanley Cup.

2005: OHL Cup games

McDavid added another 19 points (11 goals and eight assists) in seven OHL Cup games, the most by any player since Sam Gagner recorded 17 points in five games during the 2005 tournament.

2005: John Tavares Granted Exceptional Player Status

McDavid was only the third Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player to be granted exceptional status, following John Tavares in 2005.

2006: Oilers Last Appearance in Stanley Cup Finals

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

2009: Participates 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: Leaves York Simcoe Express

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

2011: Joins the Toronto Marlboros

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

2011: Aaron Ekblad Granted Exceptional Player Status

McDavid was only the third Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player to be granted exceptional status, following Aaron Ekblad in 2011.

April 7, 2012: Selected 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 by Hockey Canada

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

2012: Wins GTHL Player of the Year Award

In 2012, McDavid won the GTHL Player of the Year Award after scoring 33 goals and recording 39 assists in 33 regular season games.

2012: Joins Erie Otters

McDavid joined the Otters for the 2012–13 season, where he scored his first OHL goal on September 21, in an 8–2 loss to the London Knights.

March 10, 2013: Sets 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 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. Despite a loss to Team Pacific, McDavid was named to the tournament all-star team. He also played in the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he led the tournament in scoring and helped Canada win gold, earning the titles of Best Forward and Tournament MVP.

2013: Wins Gold at IIHF World U18 Championships

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

2013: Otters open 2013-14 season

The Otters opened the 2013–14 season with 25 points in their first 15 games, including a 10-game winning streak.

2014: 2014-15 Season

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

2014: World Junior Ice Hockey Championship

In 2014, Connor McDavid joined the Canadian junior team for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and recorded four points. However, Canada lost the bronze medal match to Russia.

2014: Awards and Recognition in 2014

In 2014, McDavid won the Bobby Smith Trophy for the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year and was named the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year.

2014: Named Captain of Erie Otters

In 2014, the Otters named McDavid their captain during training camp.

July 3, 2015: Signed entry-level contract 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 with 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.

2015: Joins the Oilers for the 2015-16 Season

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

2015: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2015, Connor McDavid served as an alternate captain for Canada at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, leading the team to a gold medal victory over Russia. McDavid tied for first in tournament scoring with 11 points and was named to the media all-star team.

2015: Wins Gold at World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

In 2015, McDavid represented Canada and won a gold medal at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

2015: Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers

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

2015: Breaks Hand in Fight

On November 11, 2014, McDavid broke his hand in a fight with Bryson Cianfrone of the Mississauga Steelheads. He returned to the ice on January 8, 2015.

October 5, 2016: Named Captain of the Oilers

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

2016: TSN Hockey's Top 50 Players

Between 2016 and 2021, Connor McDavid ranked first in TSN Hockey's preseason fan poll of the top 50 players in the NHL.

2016: IIHF World Championship & World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, Connor McDavid joined the Canadian senior team for the IIHF World Championship in Russia, where he scored his first goal in the gold-medal match against Finland, helping Canada win the tournament. That same year, McDavid was named captain of Team North America for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where he recorded three assists.

2016: Meeting Lauren Kyle

In 2016, Connor McDavid met his future wife, Lauren Kyle, on a blind date.

2016: Ceremonial First Pitch at Blue Jays Game

In 2016, Connor McDavid threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game.

2016: IIHF World Championship

In 2016, Connor McDavid won his first senior-level gold medal at the IIHF World Championship.

2016: ESPN Insights on McDavid's Strengths

In 2016, ESPN interviewed hockey figures, including Auston Matthews, regarding what made Connor McDavid a strong player. His speed was frequently mentioned.

2016: Named Youngest Captain in NHL History

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

March 29, 2017: Oilers Clinch Playoff Berth

On March 29, 2017, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings to clinch a berth in the 2017 playoffs, ending a 10-year drought.

June 21, 2017: Cover Athlete for NHL 18

On June 21, 2017, Connor McDavid was revealed as the cover athlete for NHL 18 by Electronic Arts.

July 5, 2017: Signed Contract Extension with the Oilers

On July 5, 2017, Connor McDavid signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers.

2017: Comparison to Sidney Crosby

In 2017, Seth Jones described Connor McDavid as "what Crosby was when he was 20", highlighting his elite skill and potential.

2018: Scores 41 goals in consecutive years

Although the Oilers missed the Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons, McDavid scored 41 goals in consecutive years.

2018: IIHF World Championship

In 2018, Connor McDavid was named captain of Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Denmark, where he recorded 17 points. However, Canada finished without a medal.

January 2019: Oilers fire General Manager Peter Chiarelli

In January 2019, the Edmonton Oilers fired general manager Peter Chiarelli after years of criticism.

April 6, 2019: McDavid Injured in Final Game of the Season

On April 6, 2019, in the final game of the season, Connor McDavid sustained a severe knee injury after crashing into the net, resulting in multiple ligament tears and a tibial plateau fracture.

2019: Injury prevents participation in IIHF World Championship

In 2019, Connor McDavid was forced to withdraw from participating in the IIHF World Championship due to a leg injury sustained at the end of the NHL season.

2019: Voted Best Forward in the NHL

In 2019, Connor McDavid was voted the best forward in the NHL by the NHLPA.

2019: NHL First Star of the Week

In 2019, McDavid started the 2019-2020 season as NHL First Star of the Week with 12 points in 5 games.

2019: Injures Knee

In the final game of the 2018-19 season, McDavid injured his knee but underwent a nonsurgical rehabilitation process.

2020: Voted Best Forward in the NHL

In 2020, Connor McDavid was voted the best forward in the NHL by the NHLPA.

2020: All-Star Game appearance as Pacific Division captain

In 2020, McDavid made his fourth All-Star Game appearance as captain of the Pacific Division.

2020: Records 100 Points in Shortened Season

In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the NHL season, McDavid recorded 100 points for the fourth time in his career.

2020: House Featured in EDify Magazine

In 2020, photos of Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle's house were featured in EDify magazine.

January 14, 2021: McDavid Scored Hat-Trick Against Canucks

On January 14, 2021, Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick against the Vancouver Canucks, marking the first hat-trick by any player in the 2020–21 season.

May 9, 2021: McDavid Reached 100 Points

On May 9, 2021, Connor McDavid reached 100 points in the season during a game against the Canucks, achieving this milestone in only 53 games.

November 23, 2021: McDavid's Point Streak Ended

On November 23, 2021, Connor McDavid's 17-game point streak came to an end during a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars.

December 2021: NHL Declares No Player Participation in Olympics

In December 2021, the NHL announced that its players would not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to COVID-19 outbreaks, preventing Connor McDavid from fulfilling his dream of playing in the Olympics.

2021: Hart Memorial Trophy

In 2021, Connor McDavid unanimously won the Hart Memorial Trophy.

2021: Gretzky Praises McDavid's Maturity and Physicality

In 2021, Wayne Gretzky praised Connor McDavid's increased maturity and physicality, noting his strong desire to win.

2021: House Tour for Architectural Digest

In 2021, a video tour of Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle's house was recorded for Architectural Digest.

October 12, 2022: McDavid Scored Hat-Trick and Reached 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.

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

In 2022, Connor McDavid appeared on Cheerios cereal boxes as part of the "Be the Cheer" promotion. That same year, McDavid became a brand ambassador for BetMGM.

2022: McDavid Led Oilers to Playoffs

In 2022, Connor McDavid helped the Oilers qualify for the playoffs by finishing second in the Pacific Division and secured his fourth career Art Ross Trophy with 123 points.

2022: Named to Canadian Olympic Roster

In 2022, Connor McDavid was named to the Canadian roster for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, but the NHL later decided not to participate due to COVID-19 concerns.

2022: Wins Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

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

June 22, 2023: Engagement to Lauren Kyle

On June 22, 2023, Connor McDavid became engaged to Lauren Kyle.

2023: McDavid Won Art Ross and Richard Trophies

In 2023, Connor McDavid finished the season with 64 goals and 153 points, winning his fifth Art Ross Trophy and his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.

2023: McDavid's Favorite Hockey Teams

In 2023, Connor McDavid stated that he "likes watching players more than teams", and named the Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins as the two teams he most enjoys watching.

2023: Oilers reach Stanley Cup Finals

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

April 15, 2024: McDavid Recorded 100th Assist of the Season

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

July 27, 2024: Marriage to Lauren Kyle

On July 27, 2024, Connor McDavid married Lauren Kyle in Muskoka, Ontario. The wedding was featured in Vogue.

2024: Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2024, McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

January 20, 2025: McDavid Suspended for Cross-Checking

On January 20, 2025, Connor McDavid received a three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland during a game on January 18, 2025, against the Vancouver Canucks.

2025: 4 Nations Face-Off Victory

In 2025, Connor McDavid helped Team Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off and he was named Player of the Game.

2025: McDavid Tied for Lead in Playoff Points

In the 2025 NHL playoffs, Connor McDavid tied for the lead in points with Leon Draisaitl, scoring seven goals and 33 points. However, the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in the Cup Finals.