Oilers' McDavid: 'To see 97 when I flipped that jersey around was special'

The Edmonton Oilers' intention to draft Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid with the first overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft was the worst-kept secret in hockey.

The Oilers went with the no-brainer Friday in what was a special moment, and a long time coming, for the 18-year-old phenom.

"I didn’t know exactly how I was going to feel. I wasn’t too nervous, I was just anxious," McDavid told reporters. "It was just so exciting to hear your name called … it was unbelievable."

The Oilers went the extra mile when selecting the expected generational talent. The team decided not to present McDavid with a jersey that included the year of the draft, an NHL custom, but rather letting him don his No. 97, the digits he made famous playing junior.

"It's very special, it means a lot for them to do that," McDavid said. "To see 97 when I flipped that jersey around was special.”

McDavid is excited to be joining the Oilers, despite their gloomy recent past. Oilers fans can rejoice as McDavid insisted "it will be a great time."