Viewed by many scouts as the best draft-age prospect since Sidney Crosby in 2005, Erie Otters center Connor McDavid joined NHL Live to discuss the upcoming Ontario Hockey League playoffs and his performance during the regular season.
The Otters finished 50-14-2-2 and will play the Sarnia Sting in the first round. They advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season before losing to the Guelph Storm.
"It was a good experience last year," McDavid said. "It obviously [stinks] coming up a little bit short but it's a learning experience and we can use it toward these playoffs. Everyone is looking forward to it and we're looking to get this thing going."
McDavid, 18, finished third in the OHL with 120 points and tied for fourth with 44 goals in 47 games despite missing six weeks because of a broken hand and competing in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 6-foot, 175-pound center had 11 points in seven WJC games to help Canada win the gold medal and earn a place on the tournament all-star team.
"I think I had a good year," McDavid said. "It kind of goes up and down when you get on a start that I did. I know I was playing great hockey and feeling pretty good. Then breaking your hand right before the World Junior … it was a pretty upsetting time but you get through that and I was able to salvage the year and have a pretty decent year."
McDavid and Boston University forward Jack Eichel are Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top North American skaters for the 2015 NHL Draft.
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