NHL superstar Connor McDavid is known for his speed on the ice, but it’s his act of kindness off the ice that’s making headlines. During a recent flight from Toronto, McDavid quietly gave up his first-class seat to a veteran, unaware of how his simple gesture would inspire everyone on board.
The incident began when McDavid noticed an older gentleman in military attire waiting in the boarding area. The man, later identified as retired Army Sergeant James Carter, appeared tired yet graciously declined offers to board early. McDavid, sitting in first class, overheard a conversation about the veteran’s service and quietly approached the flight crew.
As passengers boarded, McDavid stepped aside and invited Sergeant Carter to take his seat. The veteran, initially hesitant, eventually accepted after McDavid insisted. “It’s the least I can do for someone who’s given so much for our country,” McDavid said with a humble smile.
Taking a seat in economy, McDavid kept to himself, avoiding attention. However, the passengers quickly recognized him, and the story spread like wildfire. The flight crew thanked McDavid over the intercom, prompting a round of applause.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Upon landing, Sergeant Carter, deeply moved, revealed that he was a lifelong hockey fan and had always admired McDavid’s career. In an emotional moment, the two exchanged heartfelt words of gratitude.
Later, McDavid quietly arranged to send Sergeant Carter and his family VIP tickets to an Oilers game, complete with a meet-and-greet and behind-the-scenes tour.
The story went viral, with fans praising McDavid not just as a great athlete but as an incredible human being. As one passenger put it, “Kindness like this reminds us that even our heroes have heroes of their own.”
Oilers captain Connor McDavid gets match penalty for late-game skirmish
VANCOUVER — Frustrations boiled over between the Canucks and Oilers on Saturday. Now Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid could miss games as a result.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks players fight during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
VANCOUVER — Frustrations boiled over between the Canucks and Oilers on Saturday.
Now Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid could miss games as a result.
The Oilers’ captain was handed a match penalty Saturday after he cross-checked Canucks winger Conor Garland in the head late in Edmonton’s 3-2 loss to Vancouver.
A match penalty is given when officials determine a player has intentionally injured — or tried to injure — an opponent. The sanction carries an automatic suspension until the NHL’s commissioner weighs in.
With less than 20 seconds left on the game clock and the Oilers looking to equalize, Garland poked the puck off McDavid’s stick and both players fell to the ice. The pair wrestled for a moment, then got up before Garland once again took down the marquee centre and tried to prevent him from getting back to his feet.
“I’m just holding him. I mean, he’s the best player to ever do it. So, the time’s running out. And I just thought that was maybe the best way for us to win a game was to do that,” Garland said of the battle. “I don’t want to hurt him.”
As the pair separated, McDavid slammed his stick into Garland’s head.
“Absolutely, there’s a rivalry and Connor gets frustrated. He gets his stick up, and he’s frustrated because we’re down one goal and the best player in the league is getting held for 15 seconds,” Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch said. “And there’s frustration that’s allowed to happen, and the stick got up, and yeah, so that’s what happened.”
Several skaters from each side responded by jumping into a skirmish in front of the Canucks’ net. Pushing and shoving ensued as officials worked to pull players apart.
“I get crushed in the head, so our team rushes to defend that, right? And that’s what good teams do,” Garland said.
As McDavid was led off the ice, Garland and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl exchanged heated words — and shoves — along the end boards.
“It’s hockey, it happens. It’s intense, it’s just the way it goes sometimes,” Draisaitl said of the game’s final moments. “Obviously, couldn’t get (a goal) and then a little bit of fisticuffs, but nothing major.”
Nearby the melee, Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard approached Canucks blueliner Tyler Myers and Myers hit Bouchard in the face with his stick.
Myers also received a match penalty.
Every other skater on the ice received a minor penalty for roughing.
DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK
Vancouver took a 3-0 lead in the first period before Draisaitl responded with a pair of goals in the second.
Edmonton (29-14-3) has made comebacks a staple in recent games, rallying from three-goal deficits to beat both the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild this week.
“Third game in a row we chased from behind, and that makes it a little more difficult,” Knoblauch said. “I thought we had a pretty good push to make it 3-2 after the second period and we just couldn’t generate enough to get that third one.”
RALLYING POINT?
The Canucks (20-15-10) came into Saturday’s with six losses in their last seven games.
Head coach Rick Tocchet said the victory could be meaningful for his group.
“We talked about certain things with our game, the consistency of it, how to handle pressure,” he said. “We needed a bigger chunk of guys to really, dig in for us. I thought they did tonight. We need some good stuff to happen around here. We’ve got to get a little bit of momentum. Some bad luck, some self-inflicted stuff that we’ve done. … But this is a good win.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
