Connor McDavid

History

2011-12: Connor McDavid played for the Toronto Marlboros AAA Minor Midget team in the GTHL. In 33 games for the Marlies, McDavid scored 33 goals and added 39 assists for 72 points. The Marlboros won the 2012 GTHL Championship, with McDavid being named the 2012 GTHL Player of the Year. McDavid was granted Exceptional Player Status, allowing him to enter the 2012 OHL Priority Selection as a 15-year-old. He was chosen first overall by the Erie Otters.

2012-13: McDavid began his OHL career with the Erie Otters. In 63 games for that club, he scored 25 goals and added 41 assists for 66 points, but was a -24 on the Western Conference’s lowest-ranked team. McDavid was named the 2013 OHL Rookie of the Year. He played for Team Canada at the 2013 U18 World Championship where he was the team’s leading scorer with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in seven games. In addition to winning gold with Canada, he was named the tournament’s MVP.

2013-14: McDavid took his game to another level this season, and brought the Otters with him. In 56 games, he scored 28 goals and added 71 assists for 99 points and a +47 rating, with his point total placing him fourth overall in the OHL. The Otters finished second overall in the OHL but were beaten by the eventual OHL champion Guelph Storm in the Western Conference final. In 14 OHL playoff games, McDavid scored four goals and added 15 assists for 19 points. McDavid played for Team Canada at the 2014 U20 World Junior Championship, picking up a goal and three assists in seven games.

2014-15: McDavid was the OHL’s third-leading scorer behind Erie teammate Dylan Strome and London’s Mitch Marner despite missing 21 games and played for the gold medal-winning Canada U20 team that hosted the 2015 World Junior Championship. He scored 44 goals with 76 assists and was +60 with 48 penalty minutes in 47 regular season games in his third season with the Otters; missing time after fracturing a bone in his hand in a fight in November. Erie finished first in the Midwest Division and defeated Sault Ste. Marie in the Western Conference finals to reach the OHL Finals against Oshawa. McDavid scored 3 goal with 8 assists in seven games, making him one of the tournament’s co-leaders in scoring, as Canada won its first gold medal since 2009. He was named to the All-Tournament team. McDavid played for Team Orr at the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, picking up one assist in his team’s 6-0 win over Team Cherry. He was ranked the top skater in North America in the Central Scouting midterm and final rankings and topped the ISS Hockey rankings all season. He was selected by Edmonton with the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.  

Talent Analysis

McDavid is considered to be one of the best players available for the NHL Draft since Sidney Crosby was chosen first overall back in 2005. His skating, shot and hockey IQ are all at an advanced level, and he has the ability to make other players around him better. Although more noted for his offensive skills, McDavid can be used in any situation. He is certainly the most NHL-ready prospect from the 2015 class.

Future

McDavid is one of the NHL's top rookies in 2015-16 and is making a push for the Calder Trophy despite missing 37 games after undergoing surgery for a broken clavicle in November. Already scoring at a point-per-game pace as a 19-year-old, McDavid appears to have limitless potential. He could be even more dominant as he matures physically and gains experience.