Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl hit ice in Newmarket for beer-league game - and lose

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Usually, it’s frowned upon when a ringer shows up to your beer-league hockey game.

But, in this case, it’s fair to assume that the players on both sides would make an exception.

None other than two of hockey’s biggest stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, showed up for a men’s league game at Newmarket, Ont.’s Magna Centre on Wednesday night, hitting the ice with a group of average Joes.

The Edmonton Oilers stars put on a show for the dozens of spectators in attendance at the local arena, who cheered wildly for the NHLers.

McDavid and Draisaitl, both wearing their Oilers practice jerseys without numbers on the back, stood out with their speed and skill – but clearly made sure not to show up their opponents or teammates.

In fact, their team was trailing by a whopping 4-0 after the first period.

Clips from the game posted on social media show McDavid — who hails from Richmond Hill, just south of Newmarket — getting several breakaway chances, but being stymied every team by the opposing goalie. Matthew Robiodux, a Newmarket native now playing beer league for a rental goalie agency MyPuck.

In the end, the side with the stars fell short in the game, losing 6-2 – causing many wisecracks on social media about the pair coming up short once again after losing in the Stanley Cup Final last month against the Florida Panthers.

The refs involved in the game were more than complimentary towards the stars in an interview after the game.

“Honestly, it’s incredible to see them coming down the ice,” one of the refs said. “It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

“It’s just really cool to be on the ice with them,” the second official said. “Just to be kind of starstruck at the end of the day, as well.”

When asked about the fact that the NHL stars, who have scored a combined 760 career goals, didn’t light the lamp once during the game, the refs gave their props to the undaunted opposing goalie.

“That goalie stood on his head out there,” the second ref said. “So not too shocked, actually.”

This isn’t the first time that McDavid has popped by the Magna Centre for a little off-season competition. In 2023, he and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Quinton Byfield showed up for men’s league game at the arena with Byfield’s Red team besting McDavid’s Blue squad by a score of 9-4.