Connor McDavid’s season with the Edmonton Oilers has stayed busy, both on and off the ice. As the team works through the grind of the schedule, McDavid continues to lead while sharing more about where his love for hockey began.
A recent interview provided a simple glimpse into his childhood, revealing how family and early fandom influenced him long before the NHL came into the picture.
Connor McDavid Reflects on Growing Up as a Maple Leafs Fan and His Childhood Rivalry
McDavid recently joined After Hours with Scott Oake and spoke about growing up in a hockey household split by team loyalty. While McDavid supported the Toronto Maple Leafs, his older brother, Cameron, cheered for the Ottawa Senators, which created a friendly rivalry at home that became part of their daily lives.
“My bro was a Senators fan, believe it or not,” McDavid said. “It made for an interesting rivalry with me wearing the Leafs and him wearing the Senators jersey. It was a lot of fun, a lot of great memories.”
That rivalry never crossed into anything serious, but it stayed with McDavid as part of his early hockey experience. Cameron, now 32, played junior hockey before retiring, and those shared moments helped fuel Connor’s passion for the game.
McDavid has often spoken about growing up in Toronto and how being a Leafs fan came naturally. In a November 2024 interview with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger, he explained how strong that connection was and how deeply it ran in his family.
“I’m from Toronto,” McDavid said. “You have to be a Leafs fan. So, of course, I was. Of course. My dad was a Leafs fan.”
Saturday nights at home played a significant role in building those memories. “Every Saturday night watching ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ would be my favorite time,” McDavid said. One specific moment has stayed clear over the years. “I still remember going to my first-ever Leafs game,” he said. “It was a Rangers-Leafs game. The Leafs won 4-1.”
That night became personal for a simple reason. “When my dad and I would drive down, we always used to joke about who could guess the score,” McDavid said. “And for whatever reason, I picked the Leafs to win 4-1. And that’s what happened. I’ll remember that forever.”
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Fast forward to today, McDavid is the Oilers’ captain and top center after being drafted first overall in 2015. During the 2025–26 season, he continues to lead the league in scoring, showing the same focus and drive that defined him as a kid.
McDavid also recently signed a two-year, $25 million contract extension that begins in the 2026–27 season. From wearing Leafs jerseys as a child to leading Edmonton as one of the NHL’s top players, his story still connects back to where it all began.
