It was a new take on an old favorite as NHL stars Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid recreated a classic commercial for McDonald’s.

The mega-corporation McDonald’s has always had a bit of connection when it comes to the NHL. Whether it’s Happy Meal toys where they had miniature replicas of trophies and masks, or sponsoring hockey teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights; they’ve been one of the league’s key sponsors.

It also found themselves as partners for a commercial spot in 1997 where Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mats Sundin faced off in a skills competition with New York Rangers legend Wayne Gretzky for the chance to win a delicious McDonald’s burger.

Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews Recreate A Classic

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Fast forward to 2025 where a new crop of legends and superstars are taking over the league so McDonald’s decided to run it back one more time. Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid stepped onto the ice to find out who reigns supreme and get a free lunch too.

While we don’t get to see the extensive skillset of both men as we see in the ’97 commercial, but it leads credence as to why both men were seen chirping each other over social media in the recent days.

 

It was a great nod to pond hockey as well, as both men lined up with the puck in order to do the classic three-count before battling for the puck. Also a great nod to both men’s birthdates as they were both born the same year as the TV spot.

The similarities don’t end just at the commercial and birthdays though, and it’s not lost on fans that McDavid; often heralded as the next Gretzky and also an Oilers icon and Matthews; a Maple Leafs franchise star and captain much like Sundin were brought together to recreate the moment.

The battle between both players for league supremacy doesn’t stop at Big Macs and milkshakes though. Both men have tried to stake their claim as the NHL’s best player.

This season, McDavid has 54 points in 39 games and for his career has a staggering 1036 points in 681 games. He’s undoubtedly the world’s best player and remains only a Stanley Cup away from ensuring himself a Hall of Fame career if he hasn’t already.

Matthews has had a slower year due to two separate stints on the IR, but does have 12 goals and 16 assists in 28 games. For his career however, and coming off a historic 69-goal season he has 380 goals and 297 assists in 588 games.