LOS ANGELES, CA – The best in the game.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid was named Best NHL Player at the 2022 ESPYS on Wednesday night at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, adding the award to his trophy case for this season that includes the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s points leader.
McDavid beat out Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin to take home the accolade.
The 25-year-old Oilers phenom posted a career-high 44 goals and 123 points in 80 games during the regular season before leading the playoffs with 33 points in just 16 playoff games as Edmonton bowed out in the Western Conference Final to the Colorado Avalanche. .
McDavid posted one more point than teammate Leon Draisaitl (32) played in four fewer games than Conn Smythe Award winner Cale Makar in the playoffs and four more, elevating his ability to another level in the deepest post-season run of his seven-year NHL career.
Other respective winners in North America’s top-four professional leagues alongside McDavid included Los Angeles Angels dual-threat pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani as Best MLB Player, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers winning Best NFL Player and Stephen Curry taking home Best NBA Player after winning. his first NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award with the champion Golden State Warriors, who were also named Best Team.
Among the list of attendees was Oilers forward Evander Kanewho re-upped with the team on the opening day of NHL Free Agency by signing a new four-year contract.
The full list of winners from the awards ceremony can be found HERE.