Yahoo Sports 'Wear The Jersey With Pride': Connor McDavid Empowers New Wave Of Erie Otters
EDMONTON -- Once an Otter, always an Otter.
The Erie Otters hold a special place in Connor McDavid's heart. The Edmonton Oilers captain spent three years on the Junior team, and the only other team he's played more hockey for is the Oilers.
His time with the Otters was formative for McDavid and impactful for the organization. So much so that last night, the Otters retired his jersey.
Number 97.
Every player wore a "McDavid" jersey with number 97 on the back during the warm-ups. McDavid had a message for them when they got back to the locker room, in addition to reading the opening lineup.
Forever in the rafters in Erie, Pennsylvania 💛
Connor McDavid's junior team, the @ErieOtters, retired his No. 97 in a special ceremony today! pic.twitter.com/ZmPKsipcn6— NHL (@NHL) January 11, 2025
"I want to leave you with two messages," McDavid stated. "Enjoy this time. I sat right there in that stall 10 years ago. It goes by so, so fast."
"Enjoy this time, it's the best time of your life. All your buddies, playing hockey, doing what you love to do. Enjoy it."
Then McDavid hit them with his big message.
"Wear the jersey with pride," McDavid said. "Our boys, we started this thing from the ground up. This organization, when we first got here, was nothing to be proud of."
"But to wear that jersey now means something. It means something to me."
"To wear that jersey now, it means something...So wear that jersey with pride"
Take a look and listen into the @ErieOtters locker room as Connor McDavid got them fired up pre-game by reading out the starting lineup! 🎥#OHL | @CHLHockey | @EdmontonOilers | @NHL pic.twitter.com/ilzHLRLviD— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 11, 2025
It's an understatement to say that the Otters jersey means something to him. McDavid played 166 games in the OHL, all with the Otters. He scored 97 goals (how fitting), 188 assists, and 285 points.
He finished his OHL career producing 1.72 points per game.
And now, McDavid is being coached by a familiar face, Kris Knoblauch, who was his coach when he played for the organization.
Once an Otter, always an Otter.
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