Inside Connor McDavid's 'long-lasting' impact from his years with OHL's Erie Otters

Bob Catalde has been waiting for what feels like ages for whats about to occur on Friday.

Its going to be fantastic, he said.

Its a long time coming.

Almost a decade after finishing laying waste to the Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid is getting his number retired by the team before a game against the Saginaw Spirit.

Advertisement Its special, McDavid said.

Im looking forward to it, just to go back and see the fans, see the rink, reminisce a little bit.

Those were some fun years.

Its a fitting tribute for someone who entered major junior a year early via exceptional status, fulfilled expectations as one of the most-hyped prospects ever and has gone on to become one of the sports all-time best players.

But all that doesnt capture the full picture of McDavids three seasons in northwestern Pennsylvania.

His impression on hockey in Erie is lasting, Catalde said.

Few in that city have a better understanding of that than him.

Catalde is on the board of the minor hockey Erie Jr.

Otters organization, and he still hears people talk about McDavid to this day.

He did a lot for hockey in Erie and the Otters, Catalde said.

Thats one of the reasons why I think its so important that theyre retiring his jersey.

He created a whole new fan base that didnt have any prior interest or involvement in junior hockey here in Erie.

Catalde also speaks as someone who knows McDavid as few do.

He billeted the teenage prodigy from 2012 to 2015.

Catalde and his wife, Stephanie, had never housed a junior hockey player before.

A mutual friend shared with Otters GM Sherry Bassin first connected Catalde and the organization.

He and Stephanie had their trepidations, especially since they already had a busy household with three children two daughters, Caisee and Camryn, then 14 and 12, plus a son, Nico, 8.

A meeting at the house was arranged with McDavid and his parents, Brian and Kelly.

McDavid was unfailingly polite and quiet.

That warmed Cataldes heart.

He had no interest in housing an arrogant, bombastic teenager even if he was a remarkable athlete.

Catalde could tell McDavid had been raised properly.

It was clear to me and my wife that that we wanted to take him in, he said.

He was a better person than a hockey player.

I dont care how good of a hockey player he was.

If he wasnt a good kid and if he didnt treat my family and my wife with respect we wouldnt be where we are today.

Advertisement McDavid fit like a glove.

Catalde, Stephanie and the three children also accepted Otters center Stephen Harper into their house, so McDavid had a friend around at least until Harper was traded midway through the following season.

They were so welcoming the entire family, McDavid said.

I feel bad for the kids in some ways because theyre giving up a lot.

We lived in the basement.

Youre taking up space in their house.

Youre around and taking attention away.

Its a sacrifice for sure.

Im forever grateful for my billet family and what they did.

McDavid has more than made up for any perceived intrusion.

Nico played AAA hockey, which meant regular tournaments in southern Ontario.

McDavid would come to watch whenever he could, even though that would usually mean having to be snuck in through the side door of a community arena.

That way he wouldnt get inundated with picture and autograph requests and could actually watch his little billet brother play.

The rink has always been his happy place, so he has seldom turned down the chance to go on the ice when Nicos team had practice in Erie or chat with players in the dressing room.

He was so good with the kids, Catalde said.

He would always make it a point to come.

It was important to him.

Those are memories my son will never, ever forget.

Building that relationship with my billet family was special, McDavid said.

Those relationships are special and lifelong.

Catalde said he never missed an Otters game when McDavid was on the team.

Hed often bring friends who just knew a little bit about hockey to give them the chance to watch McDavid play.

Theyd ask beforehand of the hotshot player theyd heard whispers about, but Catalde always wanted them to figure it out for themselves.

It seldom took more than a couple of shifts as McDavid would zip around on an end-to-end rush, deking out three opponents in the process.

Advertisement It was apparent that he was the real deal, Catalde said.

Most players need to improve an important skill or round out their game in junior hockey if they want to make the NHL .

McDavid, as sure a thing as there ever was, didnt qualify there.

Oilers teammate Connor Brown spent two seasons with McDavid in Erie and preceded him as captain.

Brown said Bassins standard line is the GM never drafted McDavid first in the 2012 OHL draft but rather his corgi, Newman, did.

The point being that McDavids talents were so obvious that even a dog could have made that pick.

As soon as you step on the ice with him, its just like, Oh, wow.

This is different, Brown recalled.

Still, even though he averaged more than a point per game as a rookie, McDavids rookie campaign wasnt exactly smooth sailing.

The Otters, last place the season prior, missed the playoffs.

It was tough, McDavid said.

Being 15 years old and going to play against 20- and 21-year-olds, it was a big jump a really big jump.

There was definitely an adjustment period there my first year.

Brownie was great.

The older guys were great like Adam Pelech .

Bassin has so many anecdotes about McDavids 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 hadnt made the team yet.

If you dont make the team, Im moving to China, Bassin told him.

There was Kris Knoblauchs first game behind the bench when the now-Oilers coach was hired as a midseason replacement in McDavids first season.

McDavid missed three breakaways; the Otters lost.

McDavid told Bassin after the game that it was all his fault.

Dont be stupid, Bassin told him.

Thats the responsibility he accepts.

Speaking of taking responsibility, there was the time when McDavid was 17 that Knoblauch decided to bench him for most of the third period after his line with Nick Baptiste and Remi Elie allowed two quick goals to start the frame.

The Otters wound up losing in overtime.

Advertisement Knoblauch wondered if hed done the right thing, knowing that his decision probably cost the Otters a win.

Bassin was worried that McDavid or someone close to him was going to raise a stink.

Instead, McDavid put everything to rest when he walked by Bassin after the game.

I deserved it, McDavid said to Bassin.

Its accountability, Knoblauch said this week.

He wants to be the best.

He puts more pressure on himself than any coach could.

He understands the dynamics of a team and (the importance of) being able to perform at your highest level, too.

From a young age until now, theres so much accountability in his game.

Its nice to have as a coach.

McDavids junior career was highlighted by winning a gold medal at the 2015 World Junior Championship.

Infamously, he almost didnt play in the tournament because he broke his hand in a fight in November barely six weeks before the tournament was scheduled to begin.

McDavid had his whole hand wrapped the morning after the fight and was devastated by the possibility of missing the event.

Catalde and Bassin chipped in with emotional support.

Bassin assured him hed be back and better than ever.

McDavid was diligent with his rehab and the Cataldes lent a hand whenever they could and he was cleared just in time.

Bassin told him he wasnt allowed to fight again.

McDavid hasnt dropped his gloves for a scrap since.

McDavid is forever grateful to those who helped him in Erie.

He paid to send Bassin and his daughter, Alana, to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., last June.

The entire Catalde clan is often invited to visit him in Edmonton.

Catalde, Stephanie and the kids attended his wedding this summer.

It couldnt have worked out better for our family, Catalde said.

Proof of that is how much hes kept us in his life afterwards.

Advertisement When he trusts and knows that youre a part of his life, he is one of the most loyal people Ive ever met.

McDavid routinely messages both Bassin and Catalde to show his appreciation for getting him to where he is today.

Hed have been here without any of us, Bassin said, but thats how respectful he is.

He thanks me all the things and he brings it up how much he appreciates what we did for him, Catalde said.

But I always tell people, I feel like I owe him more thanks than he owes me.

I dont remember what I had for breakfast anymore, but its funny how all the things with Connor and his involvement with me and my family, Ive got really deep, sharp memories of because it was so impactful for us.

McDavids time in Erie was filled with so many jaw-dropping offensive plays, which only served as a precursor for what was to come in the NHL.

McDavid recorded 285 points in 166 OHL games before winning the playoff MVP trophy in his final season with 49 points in 20 games in a losing cause.

Hes gone on to become one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history.

His electrifying skill vaulted him to becoming the fourth fastest and fourth youngest player to reach 1,000 points in November.

Friday will be just McDavids second trip to Erie since he was selected first in the 2015 draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

The only other time hes been back was when he broke his collarbone during his rookie NHL season.

Given that this is his 10th campaign, its been a while.

The Otters rink, which was under construction when McDavid first arrived in Erie in the summer of 2012, now stands as one of the OHLs nicest arenas.

And Catalde thinks its only fitting that the Otters top alumnus and one of the best players of all time will have his banner hanging from the rafters there.

Advertisement Connor built that place because of his impact, he said.

We had sold-out games, night after night, for three years.

There was all that continuing impact he had after he left.

They won the championship the year after he left with all those kids that wanted to come here and play.

The development and everything that was happening with the organization, its been long-lasting from that point on.

(Photos: Rich Gagnon / Getty Images and Claus Andersen / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.