WATCH ABOVE: Kevin Karius sits down with hockey phenom Connor McDavid in Florida, ahead of Friday’s NHL Draft.
EDMONTON — An NHL town formerly known as the City of Champions is ready to welcome likely first overall draft pick Connor McDavid with open arms.
The 18-year-old could make his NHL debut Oct. 8 in St. Louis as the Edmonton Oilers open next season at the Blues. If all goes well, McDavid will play his first game at Rexall Place Oct. 15 against St. Louis.
Since the Oilers won the Connor McDavid lottery, Edmonton has been abuzz with everything McDavid.
On Thursday morning, a sign for Connor’s Road was altered to read “Connor McDavid Road of Hope.”
Edmonton’s United Cycle is selling Draft Day T-shirts, touting “A New Beginning.”
“Edmonton has the number one pick in this year’s legendary NHL Draft,” the website reads. “This is Edmonton’s chance for a new beginning. This is history in the making. Celebrate with an OFFICIAL Draft Day 2015 Tee from United Cycle, the Home of Hockey!”
Oilers Nation – a fan site and business – is selling shirts as well, some displaying the winning draft lottery numbers, another with a golden ticket on it that reads “McJesus.”
Co-founder Jay Downton thinks all the build-up is warranted.
“It’s not necessarily hype. This guy has gone and produced.
For his part, McDavid is trying to take all the hype in stride. He spoke to Global’s Kevin Karius in Florida on Thursday and admitted he doesn’t follow too much of the chatter on social media, but does see some of it.
“At the end of the day it means a lot to me. They’re excited fans, they’re great hockey fans who are just starving to have a winning team.
“There’s been a lot of change in Edmonton and there’s a lot of reasons to be hopeful. Whoever they pick tomorrow is going to be a good player and will be a good edition,” said McDavid.
He had a “short and sweet” visit to Edmonton during which he saw Rexall Place as well as the new downtown arena site.
(Interactive Credit: The Canadian Press)
WATCH: Less than 24 hours before the 2015 NHL Draft, Edmonton is making it clear it is ready to welcome Connor McDavid to the Oilers. Emily Mertz has some reaction.
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