VIP event held ahead of Connor McDavid’s jersey retirement ceremony
Connor McDavid, whose No. 97 Erie Otters jersey was formally retired Friday night at Erie Insurance Arena, spoke during an earlier VIP event.
Erie’s hockey connections with the Edmonton Oilers have extended to Mercyhurst University.
Edmonton, led on the ice by former Erie Otters center Connor McDavid and off it by former coach Kris Knoblauch, announced three hirings to Knoblauch’s staff on July 14.
One was Peter Aubry, 48, who will work with Edmonton’s goaltenders. He was Mercyhurst’s primary netminder from 1998-2002 before he experienced a professional career with North American and European franchises over the rest of that decade.
Aubry returned to pro hockey employment after a two-season tenure as associate coach for the University of Nebraska-Omaha men’s hockey program. Before that, the Windsor, Ontario, native was the developmental goalie coach for the Chicago Blackhawks’ minor league affiliates.
Paul McFarland and Conor Allen were the Oilers’ other additions to their coaching staff.
Aubry will be tasked with improving the position perceived as the prime reason Edmonton lost the second of the last two Stanley Cup finals to the Florida Panthers. Stuart Skinner, the regular starter this past season, and Calvin Pickard are the current goalies on its offseason roster.
Oilers lose other Otter
Although McDavid will be back with the 2025-26 Oilers, they lost another former Otter named Connor to free agency on July 1.
Multiple media outlets reported Connor Brown, a forward for Erie’s Ontario Hockey League franchise from 2011-14, signed a four-year, $12-million contract with the New Jersey Devils. They’ll be the fifth NHL stop since the Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick joined them during their 2015-16 season.
Brown, 31, totaled 17 goals and 25 assists over his two regular seasons for the Oilers. He added seven goals and eight assists over their last two playoff runs.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.