When the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers tonight, there will be a strong sense of pride emanating from Erie, Pennsylvania. The connection? Former Erie Otters star Connor McDavid and his former coach Kris Knoblauch, both of whom are now key figures in the Oilers' quest for the Stanley Cup.

Connor McDavid, widely regarded as one of the best hockey players in the world, is making his second run for the Stanley Cup, the most coveted prize in hockey. For McDavid, this pursuit is deeply personal, as his former billet dad, Bob Catalde, can attest. Catalde, who opened his home to McDavid during his time with the Erie Otters, has seen firsthand how much winning the Cup means to the star player.

“All of the awards and all the accolades that he’s received, they’re meaningful to him,” Catalde shared. “But without a doubt, we’ve had many conversations, and all he cares about is winning the Cup. That’s all he’s cared about since he was a young player, certainly even before coming to Erie. So for Connor, this is everything—it really is.”

Catalde, who remains a proud supporter of McDavid, will be watching tonight’s game closely and even has tickets to attend Game Four in Florida. He believes that McDavid, along with the Oilers team led by former Erie Otters coach Kris Knoblauch, has the experience and determination needed to succeed in this rematch.

Adding to the Erie connection is Connor Brown, another former Otter who now plays for the Oilers. With McDavid, Brown, and Knoblauch all part of the Edmonton roster, it’s easy for Erie Otters fans to shift their familiar “Let’s Go Otters” chant to “Let’s Go Oilers.” 

As the Oilers continue their Stanley Cup journey, the pride of Erie Otters fans and the unwavering support of people like Bob Catalde serve as a reminder of the strong bonds formed during McDavid’s early hockey career. For McDavid, this run is about more than just adding another accolade to his already impressive resume—it’s about achieving the ultimate goal he’s dreamed of since his youth: lifting the Stanley Cup.