Connor McDavid's competitive nature clear everywhere, even in height debate
The NHL combine is not designed to be a competition.
It is a measuring stick to determine where junior hockey players are in their physical development. But Connor McDavid thinks something is wrong with the league's yardstick when it comes to gauging how tall he is.
The über-competitive 18-year-old, a virtual lock to be the No. 1 overall choice by the Edmonton Oilers in Friday's amateur draft, is 6 3/4 and 195 pounds, according to the NHL Central Scouting. The former Erie (Pa.) Otters junior star center, the most decorated player in Ontario Hockey League history, insists he is 6-1.
It is neither a big difference nor a big deal to NHL coaches, scouts and personnel. Apparently it is to McDavid.
"I would be the last person Connor would want you to talk with," Dan Marr, director of Central Scouting, told Paste BN Sports. "I've had a running battle with him all year. Connor and I have had a back-and-forth debate about his actual height."
Obviously, McDavid could have grown a quarter-inch during the season. Uh-uh, Marr said. Marr measured him last fall. Then, in January at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, Marr remeasured McDavid — and brought in a strength coach to verify 63/4.
"He is adamant he is 6-1," Marr chuckled. "At his age, it's a big deal for these players. But not one general manager or scout has said, 'How tall is he?' It does not really apply. He is good, and that's all you need to know."
McDavid contacted Paste BN Sports on Sunday when texted about his correct height: 6-1, he texted back.
According to Wikipedia — ahem — McDavid is listed at 6-1.
Perhaps some of McDavid's consternation over a minor issue is his self-confessed difficulty in dealing with losing.
He told Paste BN Sports, "I was always the pouty little kid whenever I lost.
"I think I was the worst loser of all time," McDavid said. "I couldn't stand it. It certainly made for a fun childhood with an older brother (Cameron) who was pretty good at anything he did. If I lost to him, it was a long night for Mom. I look back on it, and obviously there were some embarrassing moments."
A prime example occurred when he was 11. The year before, his York Simcoe Express team finished 32-0-0. After winning another 20 or so consecutive games to start the following season, "We played the Barrie Colts and lost. We ended up 33-1-0. I was just devastated."
The teen hockey sensation wasn't too thrilled when the Otters lost the OHL championship in five games to the Oshawa Generals last month.
Being a bad — if not ungracious — loser, "is something I never felt was a problem," he said. "Who just accepts losing?"
They will enjoy reading that in Edmonton.
PHOTOS: Top 10 prospects for 2015 NHL draft