Connor McDavid.MINAS PANAGIOTAKIS/Getty Images
Even before he scored the game-winning goal in the 4 Nations proxy war between Canada and the United States, the 28-year-old skating savant and Edmonton Oilers captain was among the greatest players of all time. Now, the man they call McJesus has transcended sports to become a true national hero.
Practice makes preternatural
Is McDavid naturally gifted? Ridiculously so. Still, no one works harder. “If you watch his pre-game warm-ups, he’s insane—he’s like a dog with the zoomies,” says The Globe and Mail’s Marty Klinkenberg, who wrote the literal book on the guy, The McDavid Effect. “He’s skating faster than anybody else, he’s doing puck-handling drills that nobody else can do.” In clutch situations—like the 4 Nations final—that pays off.
With great power...
...comes great responsibility. McDavid has been under intense scrutiny since he was a junior, then as the No. 1 draft pick in 2015, then as the youngest captain in NHL history the following year. He’s a hero to kids everywhere, and he takes that seriously: zero scandals, a mere two career suspensions, no flash (when he signed his rookie deal, he splurged on...a used car).
Shake it off
If anyone understands crushing defeat, it’s McDavid. It took him nine seasons to reach the Stanley Cup finals, only to lose to the Panthers in Game 7 after winning three straight. Did he wallow? Nope. He came back this season and already had well over 70 points as of late February.
Loyalty is everything
Stevie Y, Maurice Richard, the Sedins—they’re all on the list of greats who spent their entire careers with the same team. Sidney Crosby will likely also join their ranks. McDavid might, too. His eight-year, $100-million contract expires after next season, but he seems determined to bring home a Cup for fans in his adopted hometown (he grew up in Leafs territory).
Check your ego
McDavid has every right to think well of himself. But he exhibits not even a whiff of conceit. After scoring the 4 Nations game-winner, he ragged on his own play and instead gave all the credit to Mitch Marner for the pass.
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