More than 10,000 expected at Rexall Place for Connor McDavid's local debut

What if you threw a party … and everybody wanted to come?

In a way, that's what will happen tonight when Oilers rookies have their local coming out party against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

This little get-together happens every year.

But this time, the guest of honour is the most-talked about rookie in a decade.

And so many people want a look at him that the game has been moved from Clare Drake arena, where it has been played since 1988, to the big room at Rexall Place.

In the past two weeks, more than 10,000 tickets have been sold for the game. They go for $30 each.

Many more fans are expected to show up at the gates.

The star attraction, of course, is Connor McDavid.

He seems to be taking it all in stride, just one step on the road to his NHL regular season debut less than a month from now.

He has played against university teams before, when he was a member of the world junior team.

"It's good that it's at Rexall," McDavid said. "It'll be pretty special playing there in front of those fans. It's always a good game. They're all good players."

New Bears head coach Serge Lajoie has played in rookie games himself, against NHL stars such as Martin Gelinas and Jason Arnott.

He knows he won't have to pump up his players.

"There's no need for the coach to step into the dressing room before the game and to have a big motivational speech," he said.

"They're excited that Connor McDavid is in the lineup. But just as much as Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl, there's excitement there that future NHLers are in the lineup."

Lajoie has watched McDavid as a junior and knows how great he is, but will be too busy coaching his own players to admire the kid's handiwork.

"I'm definitely not going to turn into a fan on the bench."

The puck drops at 7 p.m.