When you consider ice hockey, you are likely to think of Connor McDavid—the captain of the Oilers! McDavid is essentially the backbone of the Edmonton Oilers and, being honest, one of the brightest stars in the NHL. However, following a recent suspension, he became the center of attention—facing mixed opinions from fans and analysts alike. However, in true McDavid fashion, he took action to recover and demonstrate to everyone what he’s truly capable of.

On January 20, 2025, McDavid showed up big time at the Oilers Wish Day event at Rogers Place, and it was nothing short of heartwarming. The event, which happened after practice, was all about kids from the Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta Foundation getting to skate with their favorite hockey players. The Oilers made sure the day was one these kids would never forget, especially four lucky guests—Cooper, Felix, Mayson, and Eva. The Make-A-Wish Foundation posted a thank you message on their Instagram story that said: “THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING WISH DAY @EDMONTONOILERS AND @OIL_FOUNDATION!! COOPER, FELIX, MAYSON, AND EVA WILL NEVER FORGET TODAY! #WISHGRANTED”

One of the absolute best moments was when McDavid skated a full lap around the rink pushing Cooper, who uses a wheelchair. He didn’t just skate—he flew around the ice while Cooper happily cheered, “Wheel! Wheel! Go! Go! Go! Go! Wheel!” and people present were instantly invested, cheering them on. Social media went crazy, and everyone loved how McDavid turned the whole thing into a moment of pure joy. The video of the lap posted on Instagram in collab with @oil_foundation, @makeawishnab, and @edmontonoilers was captioned: “Captain Connor turned on the jets for a lap with Cooper during today’s @makeawishnab skate💨#LetsGoOilers.”

And of course, a sweet moment like that is bound to quickly go viral; it was a quick reality check that McDavid is more than just a hockey star—he’s a man who truly cares about making memories for people. And everyone loved it! Even with the ongoing suspension drama, McDavid showed us all that he’s a beast on the ice and a role model all the time—someone who knows how to give back to the people who support him.

Connor McDavid’s suspension and aftermath

So, here’s what went down with the suspension. McDavid got hit with a suspension for 3 games straight after a cross-checking incident with Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland on January 18, 2025. The hit occurred late in the game, at around 19:55 of the third period, and McDavid got tagged with a match penalty. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety issued the suspension, causing such a stir, well, a necessary one.

Now, presenting the math—Connor McDavid got an average annual salary of $12,500,000 (credit goes to his 8-year, $100 million contract with the Oilers). So, naturally for those 3 games, he had to forfeit $195,312.51. That’s the amount that went straight into the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps out players in need. Fans were split on whether the suspension was deserved—some said it was totally fair to protect player safety, while others thought it was way too harsh for something that was just a heated moment in the game.

While McDavid was sitting out, the Oilers missed him. Fans were feeling the absence of their captain, especially with some big games coming up. On top of that, the media was digging into McDavid’s on-ice discipline and leadership. It wasn’t exactly his best moment.

But then McDavid went full redemption mode at the Make-A-Wish event, and everything changed. Sure, the suspension was a bump in the road, but his sweet gesture outshined it, reminding everyone why we all love McDavid. It wasn’t just about hockey—it was about showing up for the fans and the community that’s got his back. By showing love in such a big way, McDavid, hence, proved he’s more than just a player. He’s a leader who knows the value of giving back.

And just to add another cherry on top, Connor had another legendary week. Just before the suspension, McDavid put up 4 goals and 3 assists and even passed Jari Kurri for second place in the Oilers’ all-time scoring list. Because of his insane performance, McDavid was named @Gatorade’s Performer of the Week. What a flex, right?