‘Celebrate being Canadian’: Connor McDavid kicks off jersey donation drive

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid kicked off a donation drive for jerseys for a special art project on Monday.

Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Canadians are being asked to donate jerseys to be part of hockey history.

The jerseys will be transformed into patchwork masterpieces by former Ontario Hockey League player turned fashion designer, Cameron Lizotte as part of The Great Canadian Jersey project.

The patchwork jerseys will be worn by Canada’s top hockey players as a symbol of national pride.

From Monday until Jan. 15, Canadians can drop off jerseys at participating Rogers stores across Canada, including the Rogers stores at Edmonton City Centre, Southgate Centre, and West Edmonton Mall.

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Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid kicked off the donation drive on Monday by donating a jersey from his own personal collection.

He says the project is a great representation of the sport.

“Hockey is like a tapestry. It’s a game of mistakes, and you’re always trying to cover up. And so will the game kind of back together, where you can somebody makes a mistake over there, you got to cover for him. And it’s kind of just a game of little battles and all kind of woven together to make the game,” he told reporters.

The jersey McDavid opted to donate is one he wore while playing minor hockey for the York-Simcoe Express.

“Being a young kid growing up, playing the game you love in your hometown, that to me is just the most Canadian thing, and that’s what we’re here to do,” he said.

“We’re here to celebrate being Canadian, the game of hockey that we all love, that kind of unites us all. And to me, that’s what this jersey represents.”

Anyone who donates a jersey will be entered to win a trip to any Canadian NHL team away game during the 2025-26 regular season.