EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers began training camp Friday with more excitement surrounding the team than in recent memory.
Much of the buzz is thanks to this year’s first overall draft pick Connor McDavid, who many hockey fans and analysts believe will turn around a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in nine consecutive years.
The 18-year-old was on the ice Friday morning at the Leduc Recreation Centre with the first group of players during the opening day of camp.
READ MORE: Connor McDavid effect: Oilers rookie game moving to bigger stage
McDavid hasn’t played an NHL game yet, but his impact on the city already has been evident. This year the annual Oilers rookies game Wednesday against the University of Alberta Golden Bears was moved from Clare Drake Arena to Rexall Place for the first time, to accommodate the nearly 15,000 fans who went to watch the contest.
Fans filled the Leduc arena Friday morning to watch the young phenom.
Those hoping to show up and watch training camp may be disappointed. Seating for the three day camp at the Leduc is limited, so the Oilers held an online Priority Draw which randomly distributed free tickets. The draw ended Wednesday.
Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens urged fans to temper expectations.
“He’s obviously going to be a phenomenal player for a long time in this league, but you can’t expect him to do everything overnight,” said Scrivens.
READ MORE: Hockey phenom Connor McDavid, Oilers arrive for rookie camp
Head Coach Todd McLellan said McDavid’s outsized fan following is just a fact of life with the new Oilers.
“If you could put some truth serum in (McDavid) he probably just wants to be an 18-year-old and fit in like the rest of them, and doesn’t want to be treated special,” said McLellan.
“But when you have that skill set and you’ve had it that long, that environment is created.”
The Oilers will be on the ice Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
With files from The Canadian Press