Picture this: you`re a casual beer league hockey player, and suddenly, the NHL`s most formidable duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, drop in as guest players for your game. Even more astonishing, imagine actually outscoring them.
These Edmonton Oilers superstars participated in an impromptu Wednesday evening game at the Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, near McDavid`s childhood hockey grounds. Donning Oilers practice jerseys, McDavid and Draisaitl stepped onto the ice, much to the fans` excitement.
However, any expectation that these former NHL MVPs would effortlessly dominate the local players, as if on `easy` mode in a video game, proved mistaken. Remarkably, neither McDavid nor Draisaitl reportedly scored a goal during the match.
Admittedly, they were likely playing at an offseason pace, prioritizing setting up teammates. McDavid notably held back on his signature moves during breakaways against the opposing goalie. The goaltender, of course, was probably thrilled, now possessing the incredible story of denying Connor McDavid multiple times.
Reports indicate that McDavid and Draisaitl`s team was trailing 4-0 by the end of the first period, ultimately losing the game 6-2.
Even though it was a casual summer league game in July, on-ice officials, who had been forewarned of the stars` presence (as per TSN), confessed to being a bit `starstruck` and put in extra effort for the unusual occasion.
This isn`t McDavid`s inaugural casual summer hockey appearance. In 2023, he drew significant attention when he played in a championship final, squaring off against a team that also featured Los Angeles Kings star Quinton Byfield as a guest player.
McDavid commented on these appearances, stating, “That`s a league I`ve been playing in with my friends for over a decade, since my junior hockey days. I was somewhat surprised by how much attention it garnered this time, as I`ve been doing these games for so long. It`s quite amusing how it suddenly became a big deal.”
Looking ahead, McDavid and Draisaitl are set to rejoin the Oilers next season, aiming for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance and their first championship win as a duo. Before that, however, hockey enthusiasts worldwide, especially Oilers fans, eagerly await McDavid`s decision regarding a new contract, given his impending unrestricted free agency next summer.
