Oilers select Connor McDavid with the #1 Pick
From EdmontonOilers.com
Edmonton Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, with the first overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Oilers have selected centre Connor McDavid from the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Erie Otters.
McDavid, 18, has spent the past three seasons with the Otters, recording 285 points (97G, 188A), 104 penalty minutes and a +83 rating in 166 career games. His 285 points are second most in Otters franchise history.
In 47 games with Erie last season, McDavid posted 120 points (44G, 76A), 48 penalty minutes and a +60 rating. He ranked third in OHL scoring with 120 points and tied for third in goals (44) and assists (76). He also participated in the 2015 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Prospects Game, posting one assist and a +3 rating.
McDavid led the OHL in post-season scoring during the 2015 playoffs, accumulating 49 points (21G, 28A) and 12 penalty minutes in 20 games. His 49 points rank third all-time in OHL history for most playoff points, two points shy of the OHL record of 51 points, co-held by Jason Dawe (1993) and Justin Papineau (1999).
The 6’1”, 209-pound centre was named the 2015 OHL Player of the Year and has also accomplished several other milestones in his junior career. McDavid was granted “exceptional player” status by Hockey Canada and was selected first overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, becoming the third player in OHL history to be granted “exceptional player” status.
McDavid has received numerous awards throughout his junior hockey career, including: 2015 CHL Player of the Year, 2015 OHL Most Outstanding Player (Red Tilson Trophy), 2015 OHL Scholastic Player of the Year (Bobby Smith Trophy), 2015 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, 2015 OHL Playoff Most Valuable Player (Wayne Gretzky 99 Award), 2014 OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (William Hanley Trophy), 2014 OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, 2014 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year and 2013 OHL Rookie of the Year (Emms Family Award).
The Newmarket, Ontario native has represented his country several times internationally, most recently at the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship, registering 11 points (3G, 8A) in seven games, helping Canada to their first gold medal since 2009. He has also played for Team Canada at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2013 World Under-18 Hockey Championship and the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Championship.