Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle began dating after being set up on a "blind-ish" date through mutual friends (Credit: Instaram@laurenkyle1)Connor McDavid has spent years proving himself to be one of the best players in the NHL, but his relationship with Lauren Kyle began before he was the face of the Edmonton Oilers. They’ve been on this journey together since McDavid’s early days as a young hockey prospect and have been there for every major milestone of his career.They met on a first date arranged by mutual friends to a beautiful wedding in 2024 and have built a relationship that has blossomed as McDavid has risen in hockey. While he was chasing success on the ice, Lauren created a name for herself as an entrepreneur and interior designer, making their story about much more than professional hockey.How Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle first met long before NHL superstardomConnor McDavid and Lauren Kyle first crossed paths through this mutual connection linked to McDavid’s former Edmonton Oilers teammate, Luke Gazdic. They were set up on what Lauren later described as a “blind-ish” date, in Toronto. At the time, Connor was 18, and Lauren was 19.The first date also came with a memorable moment that Lauren has often joked about. Because McDavid was under Ontario’s legal drinking age, Lauren had to use her ID to grab a bottle of wine for dinner. Despite the awkward beginning, the date marked the start of a relationship that officially became public in 2016 and has continued ever since.How their relationship grew while Connor McDavid chased his NHL dreamAs McDavid established himself as one of hockey’s brightest young stars, Lauren remained a constant source of support. In 2019, she relocated from Toronto to Edmonton, where the couple built a home together designed by Lauren herself. That same year, they welcomed their Bernedoodle, Lenny, who quickly became a beloved part of their family.McDavid proposed to Lauren after nearly eight years of dating in June 2023 at their cottage on Ontario’s Lake Muskoka. The couple married on July 27, 2024, on Old Woman Island in Lake Muskoka, in a multi-day celebration with family and close friends. The venue had special memories from their engagement, and their wedding was a reflection of their shared love for thoughtful design and meaningful experiences.Lauren Kyle built her own successful career beyond being Connor McDavid's wifeWhile McDavid kept chasing NHL success, Lauren built an impressive career of her own. She graduated in interior design from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson University), then in 2019 she founded Kyle & Co. Design and later expanded her business portfolio with Trove Living Sports Club Atelier and Edmonton’s Bar Trove. She also has been working on her cookbook, The Atelier Table, highlighting her passion for design and hospitality.Lauren has often said she always wanted to be an entrepreneur long before even meeting McDavid. Her ventures have established her as a successful businesswoman in her own right, not just the wife of an NHL superstar. McDavid has publicly praised her creativity and compassion, and Lauren has kept cheering his career from the stands, proving that their relationship has always been built on encouragement, independence and a shared commitment to each other.