BREAKING: Capitals Send McMichael To Hershey

ARLINGTON, V.A. — After numerous healthy scratches, Connor McMichael will head to the AHL, as the Washington Capitals assigned him to the Hershey Bears on Sunday.

After a sophomore season that saw him put up 18 points in 68 games, McMichael made the opening night roster again out of camp. However, he couldn’t win a full-time roster spot, as Dylan Strome beat him out for the second-line center role while Lars Eller maintained his role on the third line. McMichael got a chance to draw in amid injuries upfront, but he did not make the most of his opportunity or get much ice time to do anything with.

Through six games, McMichael went scoreless with two shots, three blocks and one fight while averaging 8:52 minutes per game.

The 21-year-old will get more opportunity and ice time in the AHL and will also get to play a role at center. McMichael didn’t get much of a look on the NHL roster this season, but there wasn’t necessarily room for him to fit in at his preferred position.

So, while a return to the AHL, where he thrived in 2020-21 while getting 27 games in his first pro campaign during COVID, may hurt, it’ll pay off for McMichael and help him continue his development rather than staying up on the NHL roster and just practicing.

He will wear No. 14 in his return to the Bears.