McDavid enjoyed a stellar stint with the Otters from 2012 to 2015 and was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Entry Draft.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team Erie Otters is set to retire Connor McDavid’s number 97 jersey in a ceremony on January 10, 2025. The officials made the announcement on Saturday, 97 days before the event. McDavid enjoyed a stellar stint with the Otters from 2012 to 2015 and was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Entry Draft.
“Retiring Connor’s number 97 is the highest honour we can bestow, and there is no one more deserving; his impact on our organization, our league, our sport, and the city of Erie is immeasurable,” said Otters general manager Dave Brown in a press release.
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“I chose to wear number 97 when I was 7 years old because that’s the year I was born,” McDavid said in an Otters news release. “At that time, I had no idea picking that number would become such a big part of me. Never, not in my wildest dreams, did I think it would hang in the rafters forever,” said McDavid on Otters special gesture.
“I want to thank the entire Otters organization for this incredible honor.”
Notably, McDavid will be the third former Otter to have his jersey retired. Vince Scott’s No. 18 in 2010 and Brad Boyes’ No. 16 were the other two legendary jersey numbers that the franchise officially retired.
McDavid was considered a hockey prodigy and burst onto the scene after a stellar 2011-12 season with the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA, recording 209 points in 88 games. He was the third player to be granted exceptional status and start his OHL career as a 15-year-old.
The young Connor won Rookie of the Year after registering 66 points in 63 games in his first OHL season followed by a 71-assist, 99-point season in 56 games the next year. He also took home the OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year awards and the OHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player award.
Image Credit: Instagram/@mcdavid97
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