Connor McDavid's rise to stardom: When Kelly McDavid discussed how her son's undeniable talent trumped her doubts

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Feb 03, 2023 16:58 GMT

Connor McDavid is widely regarded as one of the NHL's finest players of this era. The Edmonton Oilers' standout forward has amazed everyone since his arrival in the league in 2015.

McDavid never seems to encounter a difficult patch. His consistency and leadership have made him one of the greatest players to ever walk the ice. In the world of sports, there is often an inspirational tale behind outstanding players, and McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is no exception.

Connor McDavid began playing hockey when he was around five years old. His father, Brian McDavid, was well aware that his son had real talent for the sport. Connor's mother, Kelly McDavid, discussed how Brian was the driving force behind Connor in an interview back in 2015:

“He kept saying, ‘He’s special.’ I would say, ‘Oh, for goodness sakes. Every kid thinks they are going to play in the NHL. Get that thought out of your head.’

"I think Connor was about 12 years old, playing minor hockey, when I started to notice things about him. But I was still realistic.”

Brian used to train him as a child and was impressed by his son's dedication and understanding of the game at such a young age. As Connor grew older, his talent was so obvious that even Kelly couldn't help but dream of what he might acheive:

“I remember sitting in a rink and saying, ‘Wow, that was really good,’ and ‘Geez, that was impressive’ – and then it started to hit me. He was able to do things other people couldn’t do. Finally, I started thinking, ‘Maybe Brian’s on to something.'”

Brian McDavid played ice hockey and coached the York Simcoe Express. He made no compromises to push his son to reach his potential. He played a vital role in his son's development and Connor sometimes had to train for hours on end.

Connor McDavid was granted exceptional player status in 2015, and the rest is history. Brian and Connor's tale is an encouraging one for many parents and NHL aspirants out there. Long hours out there can produce not just an unbreakable bond, but also create a superstar.

Connor McDavid's arrival in the NHL

2015 NHL Draft - Round One

Connor McDavid was quick to establish himself as the NHL's next big prospect. In 2015, he was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL entry draft. Since then, the 26-year-old has won four Art Ross trophies, two Hart Memorial trophies, and two Ted Lindsay awards.

And in the current season, McDavid is topping the leaderboard with 92 points. If he maintains this lead by the conclusion of the campaign, Connor McDavid will likely win his fifth Art Ross trophy.