This is Nathan MacKinnon, reigning NHL Rookie of the Year and star for the Colorado Avalanche, taking on Olympic speed skater Charles Hamelin in a short race.

MacKinnon says he’s got on 50 pounds of gear, and he rightly points out that Hamelin, who has won 3 gold medals for Canada, is wearing a suit that appears to be made of cellophane.

It doesn’t matter, though. MacKinnon’s power lets him get out to a quicker start and he beats Hamelin in the short race. Over a long distance, I’m sure Hamelin has him, but it’s cool to see that in that quick burst, pads and all, MacKinnon is faster.

(Thanks to BarDown for sharing.)