Connor McDavid Reaches 500 Career Games
From being only the third player in OHL history to gain exceptional player status by Hockey Canada to being picked first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft, Connor McDavid had himself an already impressive hockey career before he even played his first NHL game.
Seven years later, McDavid has established himself as the league's best player. He is a five-time all star, a four-time member of the NHL first team, a four-time Art Ross winner, a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and a three-time Ted Lindsay award winner. McDavid was also named the youngest captain in NHL history when the Oilers put the “C” on his chest at just 19 years, 266 days old.
On Monday, the Edmonton Oilers took on the Washington Capitals and McDavid added another accolade to his extensive list as he played in his 500th NHL game.
Before McDavid even stepped on the ice Monday, he was guaranteed to set some records. By playing in game number 500, he became the active leader in points with 724 and assists with 472 through his first 500 games, overtaking another generational talent in Sidney Crosby.
McDavid spoke before the game about playing in 500 career games.
“Yeah, it’s been really fast, it goes quick,” McDavid said. “You get the chance to live out my dream and play in the NHL, and to have done it for 500 games now, it means a lot to me. I know there’s not a lot of guys that get to that number, so it’s special to me.”
McDavid’s Oilers may have fallen to the Capitals 5-4, but he added to his extensive highlight reel. In the second period, with both teams skating four a side, McDavid used his signature speed to skate through the Capitals' defense and slipped it past Charlie Lindgren for his league-leading 13th goal.
McDavid added an assist late in the third period, which gave him two points on the night and 27 on the season, which leads the NHL. That two-point performance gave McDavid 221 multi-point games. That is the most amongst active players through 500 games and fifth all-time through 500 games, trailing only Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Peter Stastny and Mike Bossy.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft spoke about McDavid skating in his 500th game.
"What he's done and been able to accomplish in such a short time is amazing," Woodcroft said. "I've seen a young man mature over those 500 games. I've seen a player evolve and mature, and he's a treat to be around and a treat to watch operate on a day-in and day-out basis."
There is only one thing left for McDavid to do: bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
