Oilers Teammates Reveal the Truth About Connor McDavid's Leadership and Captaincy

McDavid doesn't just lead on the ice, but off it as well

Now on the brink of a Stanley Cup, McDavid has shown Perry and the world why he wears the 'C.' It's not just his jaw-dropping skill, but how he captains with everyday consistency, professionalism, and purpose.

Perry isn't alone in having witnessed it. Darnell Nurse, a teammate of McDavid's since the beginning of his NHL career, has watched him grow into one of the league's most admired captains.

He pointed to the way McDavid spoke up in last year's Cup Final when the Oilers had fallen behind 0-3, energizing his teammates and setting the tone.

'His work ethic, what he brings to the rink every day, sets the example for our group,' Nurse began. 'When he speaks up, everyone has a lot of respect because of the amount of work that he puts in.'

'And not only when we come to the rink and prepare, (but) practice-wise, game-wise, knowing what goes on behind closed doors and the commitment and the sacrifice and everything that he does for this game and for this team, it motivates us.'

Head coach Kris Knoblauch has known McDavid longer than both Perry and Nurse.

He coached him at 15 in the OHL and was impressed even then with his poise and maturity, qualities that saw McDavid earning the respect of older teammates years before he reached the NHL.

What's impressed Knoblauch most is McDavid's consistent character. From a teenager until now, he's respected those people around him and pushed himself to be better each day.

'When I first met him, he was 15 years old,' Knoblauch revealed. 'He was underage in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and he was a leader there.'

'The respect the players had for him,' Knoblauch said, 'and not that he was the most vocal guy, but I think it was his work ethic (and) attention to detail.'

'How focused he was at his game and being the best player possibly, that I'm surprised at how much respect they had for him.'

Perry can vouch, as can Nurse and Knoblauch, as there's nobody quite like McDavid. His mix of elite skill, endless work ethic, and humility makes him the kind of captain every team dreams of having. And in Oil Country, they realize just how lucky they are.