Tyler Ennis has shared what it’s like to play with two of the NHL’s top superstars Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid.
The 34-year-old forward, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers during his 13-year NHL career, appeared on the Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast on Tuesday.
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During the show, Ennis was asked about the similarities between Matthews and McDavid, and he said he was surprised when he first stepped onto the ice with both players.
“I would say the similarities are that they’re so unattainably good. The first time I saw Matthews, it was just a skate in Toronto, and I remember, like I was drafted as a skill guy. My whole life, everyone’s like, ‘You got so much skill, blah, blah, blah.'” Ennis said.
“I skate with Auston and [he’s] way more skilled than may and he’s 6-foot-3, jacked, and he shoots the puck like Joe Sakic. You’re like, this is a different beast right here. He’s got Patrick Kane skill, shoots the puck. Connor (McDavid) the same deal.
“First practice with Connor, you’re like, ‘That’s not a human.’ And then on top of that, you guys probably all know the guys who are the best of the best, they’re different off the ice. Eating right. I didn’t know what a carb was until I was 25. Those guys are getting treatment every day. They’re just do dialled in. They just want to be the best.
“For me, making the NHL was the goal. For them, being the best is the goal.”
Ennis spent last season with the DEL’s Mannheim Eagles and had five assists in seven games with the club. The forward was drafted 26th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He spent eight seasons in the Sabres organization before playing for the Minnesota Wild, Maple Leafs, Oilers, and Ottawa Senators.
McDavid and Matthews have only played together once since both were drafted first overall in consecutive years. The two each represented Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Matthews is coming off his best season with Toronto where he scored a career-high 69 goals in 81 games, while also taking home his third Rocket Richard Trophy.
The 26-year-old forward is set to become the 26th captain in Maple Leafs’ history Wednesday morning, taking over for John Tavares, who’s been the team’s leader since 2019.
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