Connor McDavid walks Luke Gazdic through his goal of the year from his rookie season.
Connor McDavid walks Luke Gazdic through his goal of the year from his rookie season.
EDMONTON -- Connor McDavid is not your typical hockey player.
He was labelled a generational talent before he donned a jersey for the Edmonton Oilers. As a 15-year-old he was granted "exceptional status" to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), instead of the standard requirements of being a 16-year-old.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POYtZi7zIDA[/embed]
Most people who watched McDavid in his rookie season developed big biceps - from picking their jaws up off of the floor every single game he played.
One of those plays that solidified his status as an exceptional player came when he scored a highlight reel goal in his first game back from injury. A significant injury that caused him to miss four months of games (and a Calder Trophy).
Luke Gazdic has made a splendid transition into broadcasting and podcasting. Last night he joined the Hockey Night in Canada panel, and told one of the most memorable stories about McDavid.
Taylor Hall, McDavid and Gazdic were all roommates during McDavid's rookie season. One night, while watching hockey highlights Gazdic asked McDavid to walk him through that goal.
Gazdic said, "it led to one of the most memorable conversations I've ever had."
You should watch the above tweet to get the whole picture - the level of hockey IQ and awareness that McDavid had as an 18-year-old is astonishing.
Right before showing the audience watching how McDavid beat the goalie, Gazdic said to McDavid, "what about the goaltender?" Then McDavid gave him a simple answer, "that's just my triple deke."
"Three stickhandles, I get the goalie to bite and then I go back to my forehand and it's goodnight." At that point in Gazdic's career, he hadn't heard anyone talk about hockey in this way - I imagine he hasn't heard anyone talk about it that way since.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ru_R7Qjjo[/embed]
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