Usually, it takes the Florida Panthers or another elite NHL squad to defeat Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But this time, the surprise came at a humble beer league game at the Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, McDavid’s hometown, where a local team handed the Edmonton Oilers’ dynamic duo a 6–2 loss.
The matchup was all part of an offseason beer league appearance, a tradition that’s become more common among top NHL players looking to stay in shape without the intense pressure of pro-level competition.
For McDavid and Draisaitl, coming off a grueling Stanley Cup Final run, this game was less about winning and more about staying sharp, having fun, and giving fans, especially young kids, a moment they won’t forget.
How Did Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Handle Playing with Local Beer League Players?
The game saw McDavid and Draisaitl take the ice in Oilers practice jerseys without numbers, keeping things low-key despite their superstar status. Neither scored, but those watching didn’t seem to mind.
Dozens of spectators, including many children, packed into the arena and cheered wildly as the NHL’s best shared the ice with local players. Watching these two talents up close was the real reward for those in the stands.
McDavid, who notched 74 assists and 100 points last season, and Draisaitl, who had 52 goals and 106 points, are among the most lethal duos in hockey history. Between them, they’ve scored 760 regular-season goals and dished out 1,278 assists over 1,502 career games.
Their playoff numbers are just as staggering, with 96 goals and 195 assists across 192 games. Yet in this local game, their elite skills were on display differently: restraint, sportsmanship, and a sense of fun.
UPDATE: McDavid and Draisaitl lost a beer league game in Newmarket. 😭
(🎥: @BarDown) https://t.co/MIS0yrrCcl pic.twitter.com/mQsDRBkPGQ
— theScore (@theScore) July 17, 2025
The two didn’t turn up the intensity or try to dominate the match, a conscious choice to keep things light for everyone involved. Referees after the game spoke about what it was like to officiate a game featuring two Hart Trophy winners, noting how respectful the NHLers were and how they didn’t overshadow their teammates or opponents.
They also credited the opposing goalie, who held his own against some of the world’s best.
What Did Hockey Fans Think About This Beer League Upset?
And while fans online had a field day with jokes about the unexpected result, there’s more to the story than just the scoreboard. One fan commented, “Get that goalie an NHL contract ASAP.” Another added, “I’m sure they circled it as a big game.”
A third fan noted, “Everyone hating over this should really consider the act of ‘thinking’ for 1 and a half seconds.” Another chimed in with, “So safe to say Connor McDavid is still in playoff form…” while one more said, “That goalie just had the best day of his entire life.”
This isn’t McDavid’s first time dropping in for a local summer skate. In 2023, he joined a game at the same venue as Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings. Byfield’s Red team beat McDavid’s Blue squad 9–4 in that matchup. So, if you’re keeping score, McDavid’s summer beer league record isn’t exactly spotless, but that’s hardly the point.
On the same night as the Magna Centre game, Evgeny Kuznetsov, a Stanley Cup champion and two-time All-Star, suited up for his beer league game at the Washington Capitals’ practice facility in Virginia.
These appearances are becoming more common, a way for players to reconnect with their roots, enjoy the game at its purest level, and maybe even inspire the next generation of fans and athletes.
