Former Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway still views his ex-teammate Connor McDavid in high regard.

Now a member of the St. Louis Blues, he was asked by Andy Strickland what it was like to be teammates with McDavid and if he ever got to a point where he got over the fact he was playing alongside one of the best in the game. Even if it became routine seeing what McDavid was able to pull off daily, Holloway was always amazed by it.

“I feel like at the rink and stuff, you kind of become desensitized to it like it’s your teammate,” he said. “And then you watch him just do something stupid on the ice pretty consistently, like he does crazy things almost every game. So it’s a special thing. There’s a reason he’s so good, too. He’s so dialed off the ice, in the gym, and in practice—all his reps are clean. He’s just a hell of a player, and it’s really cool watching him.”

Getting a firsthand look at how McDavid operated for the better part of three seasons clearly provided Holloway with a deep appreciation for the talent and skill of the Oilers captain. The Edmonton faithful already know just how special McDavid is with what he can pull off on a nightly basis, but getting to see all of the work from behind the scenes is a privilege held by few players, of whom Holloway was one.

When asked if players were always nervous whenever the captain walked into a room, Holloway said there was an aura surrounding McDavid, but he also likes to be treated just like any other teammate.

“He definitely has a presence. I think he’ll go down as the most skilled player of all time, and maybe the best player of all time,” he said. “He’s so good, but at the same time, he likes when the boys kind of give it to him. He likes being one of the boys, and he definitely doesn’t really portray his personality in the media like he does in the dressing room. I think that’s kind of special about him. He’s a completely different person with the boys, and he’s a great guy—likes to joke around, and he’s fun to be around.”

The lessons he learned from his time playing alongside McDavid will certainly stay with him as he embarks on his new chapter with the Blues. After being nabbed alongside Philip Broberg via an offer sheet, Holloway has quickly emerged as one of St. Louis’ key players with six points (four goals, two assists) through the first 14 games, sitting tied for third on the team in scoring.

Although his exit from the organization may have rubbed fans the wrong way, it is clear Holloway continues to view his time in the Blue and Orange in high regard, especially getting to witness McDavid’s routine.

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