Watch our Facebook live of the pre-game ceremony above. It took years of practice and determination for Connor McDavid to reach this pinnacle, and much of that hard work happened here in Erie. McDavid has called his three years in Erie the best of his life.

Bassin has so many anecdotes about McDavid’s time with the Otters, starting with his first scrimmage with the team. McDavid, ever humble, wore his old minor hockey gear instead of Otters colors because he hadn’t made the team yet.

An Erie hockey legend is coming back to town Friday and the excitement has only just begun. Connor McDavid is regarded as one of the best hockey players in the NHL, but his success started years ago playing for the Erie Otters.

The inevitable will become reality on Friday when the Erie Otters retired the No. 97 jersey worn by Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.

Connor McDavid’s name will forever hang in the rafters in Erie. Ten years after last playing for the Otters of the OHL, the team will be retiring McDavid’s jersey on Friday night.

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid became the third former Erie Otter who had his number (97) retired by the Ontario Hockey League franchise.

Bob Catalde and his family watched Connor McDavid grow from a 15-year hockey phenom for the Erie Otters to become the NHL's premiere player. They're looking forward to his brief return to town.

McDavid landed on French Street 'like it was fate' Comparisons between me and Connor McDavid start and end with us both playing ice hockey in Erie in the 2010s. McDavid was better

Oilers captain recognized for his incredible stint with minor league team The Erie Otters will likely never see a player quite like Connor McDavid again and, on Friday, they made sure no one will ever wear his jersey number again.