For even at the earliest of ages, it was predicted that He would become someone great. At the early age of 15, it was He that was granted "Exceptional Player" status by Hockey Canada. Allowing Him to enter the OHL Priority Selection draft, and thus beginning his path to greatness. This marked Him as the three player to ever be granted such exceptional status, following John Tavares (2005), and Aaron Ekblad (2011).
Entering the OHL draft, He was selected first overall to the Erie Otters and began his junior career south of the border. He did disappoint, scoring 25G + 41A (66Points) in 63 games for the Otters. Unfortunately, His personal efforts could not right the team in His first year, as the Otters would only win 19 games in the 2012-2013 season and would finish last in the OHL Western division.
Upon return to the Otters for the 2013-2014, He finished third in scoring on the team with 99 points (28G + 71A). Erie would go on finish second overall in the OHL regular season, only two point behind the eventual Memorial Cup finalist: Guelph Storm. Connor would continue to play strong in the playoffs, leading the team in playoff scoring with 19 points (4G + 15A). Erie would eventually lose in the Conference finals, in the third round of the OHL playoffs. Following the season, He would go on to receive the William Hanley Trophy for the OHL's most Sportsmanlike Player, as well as the Bobby Smith trophy, awarded to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.
Entering what would be His final year in junior, He was already expected it be the top pick in the 2015 NHL draft. Following a strong start to the season in which He lead the team with 51 points (16G + 35A) in only 18 games. Disaster struck in a game on Nov 11, when He fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in His right hand after punching the top of the boards while engaged in a fight with Mississauga's Bryson Cianfrone.
Missing 8 weeks to the injury, He returned to the Otters line-up on January 8th, 2015. Following the injury, He continued to the dominate and finished the season with 120 points (44G + 76A) in only 47 games. Erie dominated the OHL playoffs, and eventually matched up again the Oshawa Generals in the OHL Championship. Erie would lose the championship in 5 games, while He recorded 49 points (21G + 28A) in only 20 playoff games. For His efforts and dominance in the playoffs, He was awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award, as the OHL Playoff MVP. He would end His junior career by being awarded the Red Tilson Trophy for the OHL player of the year, as well as being named the CHL player of the year. To this day, He is still the most decorated player in OHL history.
Upon the holy day, June 26 2015 it was well known that He would be drafted first overall and call Edmonton His new home. However it was not true until we heard the official word:
"The Edmonton Oilers would like to select, with their first pick, from the Erie Otters, McJesus!"