You can cheer on Newmarket's hometown hockey star with the entire community as Connor McDavid vies for the Stanley Cup for the first time.
The Town of Newmarket is renaming Riverwalk Commons Connor McDavid Square for the duration of the playoffs, as McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers for hockey’s top trophy.
The town is holding viewing parties for the games live at the renamed Riverwalk Commons, with Game 1 set for June 8 at 8 p.m.
“Connor McDavid has been a part of the Newmarket community virtually his entire life and he continues to have many friends and fans that are cheering for him as he pursues the Stanley Cup,” Mayor John Taylor said in a news release. “Connor is an amazing ambassador for the Town of Newmarket, and I couldn’t be more excited to cheer him and the Oilers on in their quest for the cup.”
One of the NHL’s top talents, this is the first time McDavid has reached the Stanley Cup final in his professional career. Raised in Newmarket, McDavid spends plenty of time in the community, including making appearances at a local summer hockey league.
“Throughout his career, he has continued to show support for his hometown and often returns to spend time with the community in Newmarket by participating in local hockey leagues and community charity events and programs,” the town said in a news release.
But McDavid will not be the only local area talent in the spotlight in the Stanley Cup Final. Sam Bennett of the Florida Panther is a native of Holland Landing, with the two once being minor league teammates on the York Simcoe Express.
Many Newmarket residents have cheered on McDavid throughout the playoffs and expressed excitement about watching him in the Stanley Cup final.
“Amazing to see both Connor and Sam representing Newmarket/Holland Landing,” one resident said on social media. "So much hockey talent got their start on driveways then ice rinks in the Newmarket area.”
The events at Connor McDavid Square will be free entry, with locals able to bring lawn chairs for the viewing party. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site.
The town will also be distributing free towels (orange or blue) to the first 600 people who attend each night with a non-perishable food donation for the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Game 4 will shift indoors to the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex’s Pad 1, due to the Pride Festival, but any extra games beyond that will return to Connor McDavid Square.
Both sites will not allow outside alcohol.
Viewing parties at the Riverwalk Commons site will be weather-dependent.
You can find more information at newmarket.ca/stanleycup.
“Newmarket – let’s show Connor we are behind him and wear or display orange and blue anywhere you can,” Taylor said.
The full schedule is below:
- Game 1 – Saturday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
- Game 2 – Monday, June 10 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
- Game 3 – Thursday, June 13 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
- Game 4 – Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex (Pad 1). Doors open at 7 p.m.
Pending results from games 1 to 4
- Game 5 – Tuesday, June 18 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
- Game 6 – Friday, June 21 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
- Game 7 – Monday, June 24 at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons
