NHL holiday moment: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Mattias Ekholm enjoy Christmas Eve ODR skate

The holiday season festivities were not over yet, as the Edmonton Oilers and their superstars, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm, and their partners all took part in a charming moment that immediately caught the attention of the sports community. Playing outdoor ice hockey, mixing winter and Christmas with good entertainment in a very nearby and simple way, were the main things that the Oilers stars did while staying out of decorated arenas and bright NHL lights.

On the night before Christmas, the Oilers threesome with their partners made their way to an outdoor rink in Edmonton, transforming a calm holiday night into an easy-going ODR skate. It was all about sharing and enjoying the season together, not about rivalry or the media. The occasion came up on social media through Instagram stories, giving fans a unique view of the players in an unfiltered, off-court atmosphere that connected immediately.

How Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Mattias Ekholm turned Christmas Eve into ODR magic

The festive skate first appeared on Instagram via Lauren Kyle, Connor McDavid’s wife, who shared a photo originally posted by Celeste Desjardins, Leon Draisaitl’s wife. The image showed the group lined up on the ice, bundled in winter gear, with Celeste captioning it “Christmas Eve at the ODR.” Soon after, the Edmonton Oilers’ official account reposted the moment, calling it “a bit of ODR fun,” giving fans an inside look at the relaxed gathering.

Mattias Ekholm decorated it with the cold in his signature fashion. He threw a dark coat over his white beanie and stood next to his wife, who was resplendent in a white puffer. Meanwhile, McDavid made no fuss and just wore a navy jacket and a beanie. Lauren Kyle, on the other hand, was in a warm white jacket.
Draisaitl was wearing a navy hoodie that matched so well with Celeste’s tan puffer vest underneath. Later on, Ida Ekholm posted her own snowy selfie with a caption saying she wished her followers a peaceful and happy holiday from Edmonton.

The whole season was a rollercoaster of pressure and expectations, but the Christmas Eve ODR skate brought out the human side of the Oilers’ stars. Sometimes, the most memorable moments are those that take place far from the limelight, on frozen outdoor rinks with people who are dear to you.

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