March 14, 2023 by Eric Friesen

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is used to receiving a large ovation at Rogers Place. However, McDavid did it without a hockey stick is his hands on Monday night, as he inducted legendary Canadian rock band Nickelback into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the 2023 Juno Awards in Edmonton.

McDavid, who leads the NHL in goals (55), assists (72) and points (127) this season, shared the spotlight with his favourite Canadian band at the Junos. The 26-year-old will surely go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and he credited Nickelback as one of his inspirations.

“You guys are too much. You guys are too much. You guys are too much. You know how much I love playing [in Edmonton] in front of you guys,” McDavid said moments after being showered with MVP chants by the fans in attendance on Monday. “The names in the Hall inspire you. They make you want to get close to that level of greatness. Nickelback has brought my family and friends a lot of great memories over the years and kept a lot of neighbours up in the process. Tonight, it’s my honour and privilege to introduce to you, the pride of Alberta, Nickelback.”

With sales of more than 50 million records worldwide, Nickelback is undoubtedly one of the most successful bands to ever come out of the Canada. Formed in Hanna, Alberta in 1995, Nickelback have released 10 studio albums, including Curb (1996), The State (1998), Silver Side Up (2001), The Long Road (2003), All the Right Reasons (2005), Dark Horse (2008), Here and Now (2011), No Fixed Address (2014), Feed the Machine (2017) and Get Rollin’ (2022).

The group is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger and drummer Daniel Adair, Nickelback. In 2009, Billboard ranked Nickelback the most successful group and the seventh-most successful artist of the 2000s.

On a rare night where he wasn’t asked any hockey-related questions, McDavid had the opportunity to discuss some of his favourite Nickelback tunes.

“There’s so many, there’s so many,” the four-time Art Ross Trophy winner told ET Canada’s Carlos Bustamante following the presentation. “When you go to a Nickelback show, you’re just reminded of how many amazing songs they have. Rockstar obviously is one, Photograph is another good favourite. My dad’s favourite Nickelback song would probably be If Today Was Your Last Day, so I might go with that.”