Connor McDavid: popularity of new player triggers venue change for Oiler rookies game

Connor McDavid has yet to suit up for his first NHL game, but the young phenomenon is already prompting changes to an annual match between Oilers rookies and the Golden Bears

For the last 24 years, the game has taken place at the Clare Drake Arena at the University of Alberta, which holds 2,800 fans.

This year the match will take place on Sept. 16 at Rexall Place, the Oilers' home rink

Team spokesman Tim Shipton said McDavid's potential for drawing a larger crowd was behind the change of venue.

"We made the decision working with the Golden Bears to move it to Rexall," he said.

"Just create the opportunity for more fans to get out, see a tremendous brand of hockey first, and [get] one of these first few glimpses of what everybody believes to be a dynamic new Oiler on the ice."

Tickets for the game will be available through the Edmonton Oilers website starting Friday.

McDavid, the number one draft pick in this year's NHL entry draft, is considered by some to have the potential to become a hockey star like Wayne Gretzky.

Earlier this summer, 7,000 fans packed Rexall Place to watch McDavid play in the Billy Moores Cup, the Oilers annual inter-squad prospects game.