{"id":465974,"date":"2026-02-13T09:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/465974\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T09:25:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:25:07","slug":"connor-mcdavid-calls-tom-wilson-a-forechecking-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/465974\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor McDavid calls Tom Wilson a \u2018forechecking god\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Connor McDavid<\/a> wasn\u2019t happy with Tom Wilson<\/a> when the two last played each other in the NHL,<\/a> but now that they\u2019re on the same Olympic team, the Oilers superstar has a newfound appreciation for the Capitals winger.<\/p>\n

In Canada\u2019s first game of Group Stage play, McDavid formed a line with rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini<\/a> and Wilson. He was blown away by their talent. <\/p>\n

\u201cUnreal, unreal,\u201d McDavid said to the NHL per Jason Demers<\/a>. \u201cBoth of them were amazing. Willie\u2019s just a forechecking god. So hard on guys. Created so much space out there. It was fun. And Mack was really impressive. Just kept so many plays alive. He\u2019s dangerous. He\u2019s a great player.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trio made their presence felt on their first shift as McDavid, not Wilson, threw a huge hit in the corner<\/a>. Nearing the period\u2019s end, the line also scored the first goal of the game with 15 seconds remaining before the buzzer. Celebrini deftly deflected a Cale Makar shot<\/a>. McDavid got the secondary assist on what would end up being the game-winning goal.<\/p>\n

McDavid would put up a game-high 3 points, all assists, in Canada\u2019s 5-0 victory over Czechia.<\/p>\n

Canada head coach Jon Cooper paired McDavid with Wilson, believing that the power forward would give the playmaking centerman much more time and space to operate.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody needs an F1 right? That big boy there is one of the best I\u2019ve seen,\u201d Cooper said of Wilson after the team\u2019s first practice<\/a>. He added, \u201c[S]ome guys are forecheckers. Some guys aren\u2019t. Some guys are puck-possession guys. And when you find that right mix\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

There are other benefits, too, according to the bench boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust in case a fight breaks out, he\u2019s protected,\u201d Cooper joked.<\/p>\n

For the record, fighting is not allowed in Olympic play.<\/p>\n

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