Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl participated in a beer league hockey game in Newmarket, Ontario, recently surprising local players and fans. Despite reports claiming both players finished without scoring in a 6-2 loss, <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL insider Frank Seravalli expressed skepticism about those details, suggesting the event was more about fun than competition.
Seravalli commented on the NHL Insider Notebook, highlighting the unusual nature of such high-profile athletes showing up at a local rink on a typical weeknight, drawing attention from the local community and social media alike.
“First off, thank God I wasn’t on the other end of that because that would certainly strike the fear of God into me going up against those two guys and how well they skate in any sort of beer league appearance,” Seravalli said. —Frank Seravalli, NHL Insider
He noted how playing with or against McDavid and Draisaitl likely represented an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Although some reports suggested that neither star registered a point, Seravalli questioned the accuracy of those accounts, emphasizing that they may have been more focused on simply enjoying the game.
“So, uh, pretty awesome to see. And yeah, I don’t I don’t know about the reporting. Were those scores accurate? Were they really held off the board? Maybe they were just out there having fun.”
Local Referees Describe the Experience of Officiating NHL Stars
The referees managing the beer league game shared their amazement at seeing McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice, describing the moment as unlike anything they had witnessed before. One official expressed how the presence of such elite athletes motivated them to work harder, even in a casual summer league in July.
“Honestly, it’s incredible to see them coming down the ice. It’s nothing like you’ve ever seen,” said one referee.
“Honestly man, you work harder. You work harder for these guys. Like, yeah, it’s summer league in July, but you want to give these guys good effort.”
Though the NHL stars didn’t manage to score, the referees were not surprised, praising the goalie’s outstanding performance throughout the game.
“That goalie stood on his head out there, so not too shocked, actually,” another official remarked.
Referees also revealed they were informed earlier the same day about the arrival of the Oilers’ elite players, which heightened the excitement of the event.
“I got a text from here today to expect them, which is pretty cool,” one ref shared.
Reflections on the Oilers’ Season and the Significance of the Appearance
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl came to the beer league rink shortly after the Edmonton Oilers suffered their second straight loss in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Florida Panthers. Their willingness to engage in a community-level game highlights their approachable nature and passion for hockey beyond professional competition. This local event offered an inspiring moment for amateur players and fans alike, allowing them to witness the skill and presence of two of the sport’s biggest stars up close.
Their presence may also serve as a reminder of the value of enjoying the game in a relaxed, social setting, regardless of the final score or statistics. For those involved, sharing the ice with McDavid and Draisaitl was more than just a game—it was a memorable experience that brought excitement and motivation to a local hockey community.