‘I asked him’
Connor McDavid’s great-uncle speaks at Faceoff Against Cancer Launch
Connor McDavid is one of the NHL’s rising stars.
While the Edmonton Oiler grew up in Ontario, his family has roots in P.E.I.
Ernie MacAulay, McDavid’s great-uncle, spoke at the Faceoff Against Cancer launch, where he talked about McDavid’s dedication and drive.
When his family goes to see McDavid play, they can see his dedication to the team and the game is important.
“We get to see him after the game,” MacAulay says, “But never before. Nothing can distract him from his preparation.”
Part of this dedication comes from his family.
“In the McDavid household, there was a rule,” MacAulay says, “You have to be an A student if you’re going to play.”
MacAulay continues to say that not only did Connor maintain an A-grade average, he was also one of the best skaters his coach, Joe Quinn, trained. He tells the story of a time when McDavid, while still at the peewee level, skated his way through an obstacle course set up by his coach.
“The other people there were junior A level,” MacAulay says, “and Connor was running through it better than any of them.”
According to MacAulay, McDavid’s drive is also part of why
he has not become publicly involved in any charity events prior to the Faceoff Against Cancer event.
“He wants to make sure he’s comfortable in the NHL before he gets too heavily into anything like that.”
However, McDavid will happily do things for his family.
“I asked him,” explains MacAulay. “He’s doing (Faceoff Against Cancer) as a favour to me.”
McDavid will be the honorary chairman of the Faceoff Against Cancer tournament, being held from May 26-28.