Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, is known for his incredible speed, playmaking and leadership abilities. But beyond the ice, National Hockey League Superstars have a completely different, quieter life. Golf has become a favorite offseason activity, and time with wife Lauren Kyle McDavid, family and old friends can provide a break from the demands of professional hockey. His 2026 offseason has brought attention to that balance in particularly clear ways.McDavid was surprised when he received his fifth Ted Lindsay Award in June while playing golf with Lauren, his family and childhood friends at Magna Golf Club in Ontario. Most recently, he joined Edmonton Oilers teammates Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl in the Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic, a charity golf tournament that has raised more than $3 million since its inception. Away from the ice, McDavid continues to support Edmonton’s community and maintain the fitness and recovery routine needed for the next NHL season.
After hockey, golf is Connor McDavid’s favorite sport
Golf also appears to be one of McDavid’s favorite ways to spend time in hockey. The sport offers the Edmonton Oilers captain a way to compete without the physical toll of NHL games and gives him a few hours to spend with those closest to him.The setup makes sense, however, because it feels like golf is part of McDavid and Lauren’s normal offseason routine and not just a celebrity obligation.
| Golf related activities | Connor McDavid Relationship | what does it show |
| Leisure golf | Play with Lauren and friends | Easy offseason life |
| magna golf club | Ted Lindsay Award Surprise | Family-focused leisure activities |
| Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic | Join Oilers teammates | Golf meets charity |
| Play golf with friends | Long-term social activities | Time away from NHL pressure |
Connor McDavid enjoys spending quality time with family and friends
McDavid’s family is the most important part of his life besides the Edmonton Oilers. After dating for many years, he married Canadian designer and entrepreneur Lauren Kyle McDavid in 2024. Despite McDavid’s reputation in the professional hockey world, their relationship was quite private.Edmonton is a big part of the couple’s family life. Lauren designed their custom home, and the couple also has a Bernedoodle named Lenard, more commonly known as Lenny. Their dogs have been a familiar part of their family’s lives over the years and have been present in multiple personal milestones.
| Part of McDavid’s personal life | detail |
| wife | Lauren Kyle McDavid |
| marriage | 2024 |
| base | edmonton alberta |
| friday family | Bernedoodle named Lenard/Lenny |
| Shared leisure | Golf, traveling and spending time with family |
| Lauren’s career | interior designer and entrepreneur |
Travel helps Connor McDavid rejuvenate
Travel is another way for McDavid to escape the NHL schedule. The offseason allows the couple more flexibility with travel and time away from Edmonton before the demands of another game increase.Lauren and McDavid have a long history with Lake Muskoka, Ontario. The location served as the backdrop for their engagement and 2024 wedding, with Lauren describing their Muskoka cabin as an especially peaceful place for the couple.
| travel or leisure environment | Connection to McDavid | main volume |
| Muskoka Lake | Engagement and Wedding Venues | Home Peace Renovation |
| edmonton | main base | family and daily life |
| golf destination | Regular offseason activities | Leisure and social time |
| resort | Share with Lauren | Mental reset and relaxation |
Even away from the rink, fitness remains a priority
Relaxation doesn’t mean McDavid is completely detached from physical preparation. Conditioning, mobility and recovery must be a year-round focus for elite performance in the NHL.It’s also about timing. The early part of the offseason can focus on recovery from the NHL schedule, while the later stages increasingly focus on restoring strength, conditioning and hockey-specific preparation before training camp.
| Fitness first | Why this matters to McDavid |
| conditioning | Supports endurance throughout the NHL season |
| strength training | Helps maintain strength and stability |
| Mobility | Supports skating mechanics and movement |
| recover | Allowing the body to reset after competition |
| Nutrition | Support training and physical recovery |
| hockey prep | Help with transition to training camp |
Connor McDavid supports charity
A great recent example of McDavid giving back to the Edmonton community was in January 2026 when he was the guest of honor at Allendale School after a student won the Ben Stelter School fundraiser.The fundraiser, which involved 50 Edmonton-area schools, raised more than $285,000 for the Ben Stelter Foundation, which helps children and families cope with cancer. McDavid took the opportunity to highlight the importance of young people supporting each other and the difference community involvement can bring.
| community area | recent example | Influence |
| childhood cancer | Ben Stelter School Fundraiser | Raised over $285,000 |
| youth sports | Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation | Will benefit 65,449 children in 2025 |
| Accessible Hockey | Every child deserves a try | Remove barriers to participation |
| Charity fundraising | CIBC Miracle Day | Donate $250,000 to EOCF |
| community involvement | School and adolescent performance | Connecting McDavid with Edmonton family |
How Connor McDavid spent his offseason
McDavid’s offseason wasn’t a regression in hockey, but a balancing act. On the relaxation side, it includes golf, travel and family time; on the competition side, it includes fitness, recovery and preparation.The golf course is a particularly convenient middle ground. It allows McDavid to compete, socialize and enjoy the outdoors without the intensity of an NHL game. In June 2026, Ted Lindsay surprised him with a surprise event that included Lauren, family and childhood friends, showing just how closely connected golf is to his personal life.
| offseason period | McDavid possible focus |
| initial rest | rest and recovery |
| early summer | Family, golf and leisure |
| midsummer | Travel, golf and social events |
| late summer | Physical training and structured training |
| preseason | Hockey specific preparation |
| NHL returns | edmonton oilers game |
Why fans idolize Connor McDavid beyond hockey
What’s interesting about McDavid’s lifestyle is that it seems to have nothing to do with celebrity culture. He is one of the best-known players in the NHL, but much of his public life off the ice revolves around golf, family, charities and the Edmonton community.That combination goes a long way to explaining fans’ fascination with McDavid’s life off the ice. No one extravagant hobby or constantly busy celebrity schedule defines the NHL captain’s offseason. Instead, it’s about balance.
| Off-ice quality | How it shows up in McDavid’s lifestyle |
| family focus | Time with Lauren, relatives and friends |
| entertainment | golf and travel |
| healthy | Year-round physical preparation |
| recover | Rest and mental reset between seasons |
| community involvement | Charity activities for youth and children |
| privacy | Limited exposure of daily personal life |
Connor McDavid’s life outside of hockey is pretty simple. Golf, family, travel, fitness, recovery and giving back. At the end of the day, that’s the formula. The 2026 offseason offers some great examples, from winning the Ted Lindsay Award while golfing with Lauren and family, to competing in the Zach Hyman Celebrity Classic, and supporting Edmonton youth initiatives.
