BLOG: Alphonso Davies to be recognized at Battle of Alberta

EDMONTON, AB - Edmonton product, Canadian soccer superstar and FC Bayern Munich midfielder Alphonso Davies will be recognized by the Oilers on Friday, performing the ceremonial puck-drop prior to the Battle of Alberta matchup.
The 19-year-old, who was born at a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents before his family moved to Canada when he was five, is back in his adopted hometown for the holidays and will be honoured for his achievements at tonight's game.
"I'm happy to be back, Edmonton is my home," Davies said after attending Oilers morning skate at Rogers Place and meeting the team. "My family and my friends are all here, so I'm excited to be back."

He made his first Bundesliga start earlier this season and his first UEFA Champions League start on Nov. 6, 2019 against Greek squad Olympiacos FC.
Davies has now scored two goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances and has played in three Champions League matches, in addition to scoring five goals in 17 international appearances for Canada's senior men's squad.
Speaking with the media in the Oilers locker room on Friday, Davies said he "tried hockey for about a week" after arriving in Edmonton but much preferred the warmth of the soccer pitch to frosty arenas.
"I didn't really enjoy it too much, because it was too cold," he laughed. "And football was everything I wanted to do."
Davies said he attended an Edmonton Oil Kings WHL game many years ago, but tonight will be his first NHL game in his hometown.