"It was never my plan": Connor McDavid comes clean about intention to star in Amazon's 'FaceOff: Inside the NHL' docuseries
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid opened up about his involvement in Amazon Prime's upcoming docuseries, "Faceoff: Inside the NHL," which will premiere on Oct. 4.
The series will provide fans an inside look at the NHL, featuring exciting behind-the-scenes footage, including memorable moments and a notable scene of McDavid expressing frustration, showcasing a more emotional side of the usually calm and reserved player.
During a post-game interview following a 6-3 loss to the Flames in the preseason on Monday, Connor McDavid revealed that the clip shown in the teaser was linked to the Game 2 loss to the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
McDavid emphasized that while the editing may shape the narrative, it captures the raw emotions players experience while chasing their dreams. He said:
"That would have been after Game 2. But again, I think you have to understand that some of the shows, you know, they get to contextualize it as much as they want.
"It’s interesting how they cut it up. They obviously need to make a story, but overall, as I said, you’re going to see emotions from both sides. Guys are playing for their dream, and I think you’ll see that—you’ll feel that—from both sides."
Connor McDavid admitted that he never planned to be the focal point of the show, but he sees the potential for it to help grow the sport's popularity, like initiatives that have been successful in other sports:
"It was never my plan to be the star of the show. It was never my plan, but I think we wanted to dip our toe in, and here we are, headfirst off the diving board. So, we’ll see.
"Ultimately, everybody wants to grow the game. It’s worked for other sports, and hopefully, it does something for our sport as well. That’s all we can really ask for."
Amazon Prime's "FaceOff: Inside the NHL," docuseries signifies a willingness to showcase the NHL and its athletes in a new light, potentially attracting more fans to hockey through the emotional and personal stories shared in the series.
Other stars featured in docuseries apart from Connor McDavid
Amazon's upcoming docuseries, "FaceOff: Inside the NHL," will consist of six episodes, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of NHL players at various stages of their careers.
The series aims to highlight not only players' achievements but also the challenges they face along the way. Viewers can expect a rich tapestry of insights, featuring perspectives from players, rivals, teammates, coaches and family members.
Apart from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman and William Nylander are the other stars featured in the series.