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Fox News
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox News
NHL stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl shock beer league game as surprise players
Imagine showing up to your weekly ice hockey game to play with some of your friends and local talent, but two of the best players in the NHL are ready to face-off against you. Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were quite the ringers at the Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, last Wednesday for the beer league game, but they were actually outscored by their opponents, who have quite the hockey story for the rest of their lives. The rink is just minutes away from where McDavid grew up, and he had his partner in crime donned in an Oilers jersey with him on the ice. Fans in the stands couldn't believe their eyes as they watched McDavid and Draisaitl play against loved ones and friends. But the Edmonton stars didn't have the usual point tallies on the night. In fact, neither player scored a goal. Instead, there were clips that went viral on social media of the other team's goalie making some sweet saves on McDavid's shots. Now, it is worth noting neither NHL All-Star was skating full speed and trying to do their patented offensive wizardry on the ice. However, they reportedly found themselves down 4-0 after the first period and eventually lost the game, 6-2. On-ice officials at the rink were reportedly given notice that the Oilers players were going to play, per TSN. McDavid spoke with ESPN, who said it wasn't his first time jumping on the ice in this league that he used to play in during his junior hockey days. In fact, in 2023, he dropped by to play in the championship game against a team that sported Quinton Byfield on their bench, the Los Angeles Kings star. "That's a league I played in with my buddies for over 10 years now," McDavid told ESPN. "We joined that league back when I played junior hockey. I was a little bit surprised to see it get blown up. I've been playing in those games for over a decade now. So, it's pretty funny that it just kind of came up." Perhaps McDavid and Draisaitl needed some good vibes with local players after yet another loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. They will try once more during the 2025-26 season to defend their Western Conference title, and hope they can lift Lord Stanley's Cup instead of going home empty-handed. While Draisaitl is locked in with the Oilers for the future after inking an eight-year deal last year, McDavid is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following this season. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl make surprise appearance at Newmarket beer league game but lose
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and teammate Leon Draisaitl took the ice in Newmarket earlier this week for a beer league hockey game that they ultimately lost. The game took place at Newmarket's Magna Centre on Wednesday night. McDavid and Draisaitl were both seen wearing what appeared to be Oilers practice jerseys during the game. Footage posted to social media by TSN's BarDown showed at least one prime scoring chance for McDavid but the NHL star couldn't beat the goalie, who came up with a big glove save. McDavid and Draisaitl ultimately 6-2 with no goals between the two of them WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: McDavid and Draisaitl take the ice in Newmarket. In an interview after the game with BarDown one of the referees called it 'incredible' to see McDavid and Draisaitl 'coming down the ice.' 'It's nothing like you ever seen,' he said. Another referee said it was 'just really cool to be on the ice with them.' 'Kind of starstruck at the end of the day,' he said. That referee went on to say that he was 'not too shocked' about the lack of goals from the NHL players. 'That goalie stood on his head out there,' he said. McDavid grew up in Newmarket and regularly returns to the area during the NHL offseason. In May, the town temporarily renamed Riverwalk Commons to 'Connor McDavid Square' for the duration of the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite the Oiler's inability to win the cup, losing for two years in a row to the Florida Panthers, Maple Leafs fans are no doubt holding their breath with hopes that they might one day see McDavid take the ice at Soctiabank Arena in a Leafs jersey. McDavid is set to enter free agency in 2026.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
McDavid, Draisaitl play beer league game in Ontario: TSN
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl played hockey together on Wednesday – but not where you'd expect. They suited up in Edmonton Oilers gear and played a beer league game in McDavid's hometown of Newmarket, Ont., according to TSN. More surprising than that? The superstars are said to have lost 6-2 and didn't score. The duo will be back for the Edmonton Oilers in regular season action on Wednesday, Oct. 8 vs. the Calgary Flames.
National Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl hit ice in Newmarket for beer-league hockey game
Usually, it's frowned upon when a ringer shows up to your beer-league hockey game. Article content But, in this case, it's fair to assume that the players on both sides would make an exception. Article content Article content None other than two of hockey's biggest stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, showed up for a men's league game at Newmarket, Ont.'s Magna Centre on Wednesday night, hitting the ice with a group of average Joes. Article content Article content The Edmonton Oilers stars put on a show for the dozens of spectators in attendance at the local arena, who cheered wildly for the NHLers. Article content Connor McDavid takes the ice at a beer league game in Newmarket, ON tonight 👀 — BarDown (@BarDown) July 17, 2025 Article content Article content McDavid and Draisaitl, both wearing their Oilers practice jerseys without numbers on the back, stood out with their speed and skill – but clearly made sure not to show up their opponents or teammates. Article content And there's Leon too 😭 — BarDown (@BarDown) July 17, 2025 Article content Not the ideal start for 97 and 29 in Newmarket's beer league... 😅 — BarDown (@BarDown) July 17, 2025 Article content Article content Clips from the game posted on social media show McDavid – who hails from Richmond Hill, just south of Newmarket — getting several breakaway chances, but being stymied every team by the opposing goalie. Article content In the end, the side with the stars fell short in the game, losing 6-2 – causing many wisecracks on social media about the pair coming up short once again after losing in the Stanley Cup Final last month against the Florida Panthers. Article content The refs involved in the game were more than complimentary towards the stars in an interview after the game. Article content 'Honestly, it's incredible to see them coming down the ice,' one of the refs said. 'It's like nothing you've ever seen.' Article content 'It's just really cool to be on the ice with them,' the second official said. 'Just to be kind of starstruck at the end of the day, as well.' Article content When asked about the fact that the NHL stars, who have scored a combined 760 career goals, didn't light the lamp once during the game, the refs gave their props to the undaunted opposing goalie. Article content 'That goalie stood on his head out there,' the second ref said. 'So not too shocked, actually.' Article content This isn't the first time that McDavid has popped by the Magna Centre for a little off-season competition. In 2023, he and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Quinton Byfield showed up for men's league game at the arena with Byfield's Red team besting McDavid's Blue squad by a score of 9-4. Article content
