It may have been the worst kept secret in the NHL, but the Edmonton Oilers selected Connor McDavid first overall in the 2015 NHL Draft Friday.
Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Peter Chiarelli made the announcement in Sunrise, Florida Friday evening – selecting the centre from the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters.
“It felt like it was going by so slowly, all I wanted was the pick called,” McDavid said in a press conference following his selection. “It was a dream come true.”
Moments after his selection, McDavid said he hadn’t thought much about his future with the team – but he was looking forward to the coming year.
“I got picked two minutes ago, so lots going through my mind…there’s a long road to go to make the team,” McDavid said. “If I do get there, there are lots of great people.”
The 18-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Otters, the Oilers said he recorded 285 points (97 goals and 188 assists) – the second most points in Otters franchise history – 104 penalty minutes and a +83 rating in 166 career games.
“OHL was a huge stepping stone, best three years of my life so far, they mean everything to me,” McDavid said.
When he was selected by the Oilers Friday, McDavid was given a new orange jersey – a design the team unveiled at the same time they made the selection – with his number, 97, on the back.
“It’s very special, it means a lot for them to do that,” McDavid said. “To see 97 when I flipped that around is special.”
Two picks traded for former Oil Kings defenceman
Later on, Oilers officials traded their 16th and 33rd round picks to the New York Islanders, in exchange, the team took Griffin Reinhart.
Reinhart previously played for the Edmonton Oil Kings - he was selected fourth overall by the Islanders in 2012.
New team jersey revealed
As McDavid put on his new Oilers jersey, his new team revealed one of the ways they were paying tribute to their old home, Rexall Place.
Oilers officials said the orange jersey was inspired by designs worn by the Oilers early in the team’s history as part of the World Hockey Association.
The orange jersey will be worn for seven select home games during the 2015-16 season, called ‘Farewell Season at Rexall Place’ by the team. The team will wear the jersey on opening night October 15.
In addition, the team said jerseys with the new design would be given to current season seat holders and suite holders – the Oilers said more than 15,000 jerseys will be distributed in the fall.
