Erie Otters to retire McDavid's number Friday night

Erie Otters center Connor McDavid, left, gets past Sarnia Sting defenseman Jeff King as Sarnia Sting goalie Justin Fazio looks on at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Penn., Oct.4, 2014. The void left by McDavid is an almost impossible one for the Erie Otters to fill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Erie Times-News, Greg Wohlford MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will retire Connor McDavid's #97 on Friday night.

McDavid played three seasons with the Otters in Pennsylvania before the Oilers drafted him in 2015.

He had 122 goals and 231 assists in the OHL.

McDavid is in Erie, Pa., for the game between the Otters and the Saginaw Spirit at Erie Insurance Arena.

"It will be exciting," McDavid told reporters on Thursday. "It will be fun to see Erie again, fun to see that arena, those fans. Really, really excited about it."

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch coached McDavid in Erie.

"As a fan, you've probably fallen in love with him. I'm sure a lot of the fans will be reminiscing," Knoblauch said.

"I think it will be really special … it will be a special night for everybody."

The game starts at 5 p.m. MT.