NEWMARKET – With the Oilers within the Stanley Cup remaining once more this 12 months, the choice to carry again “Connor McDavid Sq.” within the hometown of Edmonton’s star ahead was a no brainer for Newmarket Mayor John Taylor.
The short-term renaming of the city’s Riverwalk Commons space and viewing events of the NHL championship sequence had been fairly in style final 12 months. Native followers and McDavid supporters have been out in drive once more this spring.
“Individuals like it, they love the thought,” Taylor stated Monday earlier than the beginning of Sport 3. “They love coming down and sitting collectively in stunning climate and watching Connor McDavid on an enormous outside display.
“It truly is bringing the group collectively and the Oilers are bringing the nation collectively.”
The Toronto suburb of about 90,000 is within the Maple Leafs’ heartland. Many locals have put their blue and white jerseys away although — a minimum of for this fortnight — in favour of Oilers’ orange and blue or the all the time in style purple and white Canada uniforms, many that includes No. 97 on the again.
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Whereas McDavid is a fan favorite, many spectators are additionally desirous to see the Oilers beat the Florida Panthers in order that the nation will finish its 32-year Stanley Cup drought.
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“It’s nice to come back out and assist the group and assist the nation on the similar time, cheer on Canada,” stated Newmarket resident Maryann Patterson, who was sporting a 4 Nations Face-Off Canada jersey. “Why not?
“The Leafs are gone. All the opposite Canadian groups are completed. So let’s assist Edmonton.”
McDavid can usually be noticed round city through the low season. He usually trains within the space with different prime gamers and might typically be seen at native eating places and points of interest.
As a teenager, he performed competitively with the York Simcoe Categorical of the Ontario Minor Hockey Affiliation earlier than becoming a member of the Toronto Marlboros of the Better Toronto Hockey League.
McDavid was chosen by the Oilers with the primary general choose of the 2015 Entry Draft and has spent his total NHL profession with Edmonton. The 28-year-old centre has been named league MVP on three events.
All through his profession, McDavid has continued to commit time to local people charity occasions and applications.
“I feel everyone is aware of who he’s, everyone desires to assist him, and everyone desires Connor McDavid and his workforce to win this 12 months,” Patterson stated. “It’s their flip. He’s put a variety of effort and time into the Oilers and it’s time.”
McDavid recorded 100 factors (26 targets, 74 assists) in 67 video games this previous season. He additionally scored the successful aim in Canada’s extra time victory over the USA within the remaining of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
A victory over the Panthers although, significantly after falling in Sport 7 of final 12 months’s remaining, would function the last word hockey second for Newmarket’s favorite son.
The Panthers and Oilers cut up the primary two video games in Edmonton earlier than the best-of-seven sequence shifted to the Sunshine State for 2 video games. The Oilers haven’t gained the Cup since 1990.
“We’re coping with tariffs and 51st state nonsense,” Taylor stated. “To have this to rally round proper now could be what we’d like, to positively cheer collectively as one nation.
“A win would actually, I feel, go a good distance proper now.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed June 9, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
