LAS VEGAS -- Jordan Kyrou won the Verizon Fastest Skater at the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, but the St. Louis Blues forward didn't think he deserved that title.
"Connor [McDavid] is definitely still the fastest player in the world, in the game," Kyrou said after upsetting McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers center and three-time champion, at T-Mobile Arena on Friday.
Kyrou, who was selected to his first All-Star Game, completed the course in 13.550 seconds.
He was in awe of his competition, which not only included McDavid, but also Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, who set the record when he won the event in 2016 (13.172), and New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider, who finished third in 2020.
"It's pretty cool obviously to be out there with all those high-end guys like that," Kyrou said. "When we were standing there and they were announcing our names, I was a little nervous for sure.
"You always have to believe in yourself a little bit, right? But obviously those are some of the fastest guys in the world, so just being able to go up against some of those guys was really cool."
Video: Kyrou wins Fastest Skater with a 13.550s lap
McDavid was the last to compete and finished fourth with a time of 13.690. He won the event in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
"I'm a pretty good skater so I think I have a chance every time," McDavid said. "There are some good skaters in this league as well. It's pretty cool to see. Anyone tonight could have won it. Great for Jordan to win it. He's a great guy."
Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe finished second (13.585), and Kreider, who went first, finished third (13.664). Larkin finished seventh with a time of 14.116.
"I think everyone's a little nervous going first," Kreider said. "A bit cold, not much of a warmup, so. Everyone's obviously working pretty hard, but at the same time, just happy to get through it in one piece."
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who finished fifth (13.834), said he wasn't surprised at Kyrou's speed. They were teammates for Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championship.
"I knew Kyrou has always been really fast, sneaky fast from the World Juniors," Makar said. "[All of the other players] got off to good starts."
Islanders center Mathew Barzal won the event in 2020 with a time of 13.175. The All-Star Game and Skills were not held last season because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
RESULTS
Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues, 13.550 seconds
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings, 13.585
Chris Kreider, New York Rangers, 13.664
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 13.690
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, 13.834
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets, 13.851
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings, 14.116
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals, 14.559
