Connor McDavid Confirms Plans After Suspension After Oilers Vs. Canucks Game

Have you ever wondered what star athletes do when they face a setback? In a recent turn of events, the Oilers Captain and ice-hockey icon Connor McDavid faced suspension for three games straight. Just for fact, it’s the second time in McDavid’s entire NHL career. The first two-game suspension happened back in February 2019 for an illegal check to the head on New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. And this time around it happened on January 18, at the edge of the third period, resulting in a forfeit of a lump sum from his pay.

The ice hockey game on Saturday went purely ruckus, which resulted in McDavid missing games against Washington on Tuesday, the Canucks on Thursday, and Buffalo on Saturday. But wait, this isn’t the end of it. Now that McDavid has finally gotten off his loaded schedule, what’s next?

What went down on that day?

While the match was rolling, during the third period, around 19:55, things started heating up between McDavid and Garland. The reason for McDavid’s suspension? He cross-checked Conor Garland of the Vancouver Canucks, and they even got physically involved on the icy plane. Conor held McDavid’s arm while he was standing up, and the Captain responded by punching him. The Department of NHL Player Safety then issued the suspension on January 18 with a fine of $195,312.51.

However, looking back on the incident, McDavid has shown signs of regret, “Obviously, there’s lots of holding and holding down — he holds my head down for a little bit — but I can’t have that reaction. I know that. Everyone knows that. Not the reaction that I’m proud of or that anyone wants to see out of me, and I understand that.”

After this incident, one small thought lingered in McDavid’s mind. It wasn’t the suspension that made him think twice, but the instinct of being the Captain. And ideas kept popping in his head. When the training session for the Oilers ended at Rogers Place, Connor McDavid stayed back for more than 80 minutes on the ice, trying to stay sharp and take extra reps on the blue line to hone his skills. Connor McDavid is not the one to sit this out without doing anything, suspension or not. This time, notably more– when he has six games to play in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, after he returns to Rogers Place standing against Seattle Kraken, which is taking place on January 28.

Connor McDavid wants to be ready and not lay back during this time, he expressed, “I love to play. What am I going to do? I’d rather be on the ice than sitting at home resting.” Adding to it he continues, “It’s not like I can get a week away in Cabo, so I’m here.”

McDavid further elaborated, “I want to support the team. I want to be here for the team. I want to be here to get myself ready to roll when it’s time. I’ll have six games before the break, and we want to go into the break on a high note. I always feel that’s important. How you go into a break is important, and that’s my main focus here.”  While McDavid’s team is missing their Captain, he has strategies to pull up on the day of his return. Furthermore, during the time of suspension,  he also proves why he’s worthy of being the Captain.

Just Connor McDavid being the Captain he is

With Connor McDavid’s ultimate plan of staying in check with practice, he also took some time off to give lead to a beautiful cause. On January 20, just two days after his suspension, the Captain showed up for the Oilers Day event fueled by Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta at The Rogers. It was all about kids getting to skate with their favorite hockey players. McDavid made sure to take full participation and make it an exceptionally memorable event, not only for the kids but also for everyone else.

In a viral Instagram video, Connor McDavid was seen skating Cooper, one of the four kids from Make-A-Wish! Cooper, using a wheelchair, asked McDavid to take him for a round in the rink, his excitement visible enough to lighten up anyone’s day. And McDavid (smiling, a rare scene) scooted him over the ice as Cooper kept shouting in excitement, “Wheel! Wheel! Go! Go! Go! Go! Wheel!” It was a moment of pure joy. We all loved it, if you’ve already seen it, you know!

While few things during these couple of days went wrong for the Edmonton Oilers Captain, there were also great moments to appreciate. As the match against Seattle Kraken nears, Connor McDavid is not only getting prepared for it but is also eager to smash it. Connor McDavid is indeed a true leader– for his fans, for his team, and for himself! What do you think about it? Comment below and let us know!