Connor McDavid named 4th-best CHL player of last 50 years

Team Orr captain Connor McDavid, of the Erie Otters, controls the puck during the third period of the CHL Top Prospects game in St. Catharines, Ontario on Thursday, January 22, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Posted May 11, 2026 12:29 pm.

Edmonton’s captain is being recognized for his play on the ice — before he made it to the NHL.

Connor McDavid was named the fourth-best player to play in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) since the league was founded in 1975-76.

The CHL is celebrating its 50th anniversary by ranking the 50 best players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) since that year.

McDavid, who played his junior hockey with the Erie Otters in the OHL, came in No. 4 on the list. Only Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic), Wayne Gretzky (Peterborough Petes & Soo Greyhounds) and Mario Lemieux (Laval Voisins) rank higher. Who tops the ranking will be unveiled this week.

The now Oilers captain was named OHL rookie of the year in 2012-13 with 66 points from 63 games. In his sophomore campaign, he had 99 points from 56 regular-season games, and 19 points in 14 playoff contests.

In his final Ohl season, he erupted for 120 points in 47 games, and 49 points in 20 playoff encounters, leading the Otters to the OHL final. He was named playoff MVP despite the final’s loss to the Oshawa Generals.

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