Capitals Prospects
WHN’s Top Capitals Prospects: Connor McMichael, On NHL’s Doorstep, Is No. 3
In preparation for the 2023-24 season, Washington Hockey Now staff have compiled a list of the top 10 Washington Capitals prospects. The final rankings are based on the research and discussions of WHN staff.
No. 3: Connor McMichael, C
Age: 22; Ht-Wt: 6-0, 180; Shoots: Left; Drafted: 1st round, 2019.
As the Capitals move closer to the next generation, the front office may not have to look far for their potential top-line center of the future.
Connor McMichael, the 25th overall pick in the 2019 draft, spent most of the 2022-23 season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, helping guide the team to the Calder Cup championship. His 39 regular season points — 16 goals, 23 assists — ranked him fifth on the team before contributing an additional 10 points in 20 playoff games.
“To see them do well at that level of play in the Finals and then winning the championship,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in July of McMichael and fellow Hershey Bears Aliaksei Protas and Beck Malenstyn, “I think that just solidifies their development.”
While McMichael’s skating abilities leave much to be desired, he’s long shown the ability to be a threat in the offensive zone. In his third season with the OHL’s London Knights, McMichael led the team with 72 points — 36 goals, 36 assists — before jumping up to 102 points — 47 goals, 55 assists — during his final year in juniors.
McMichael is expected to break camp on the Capitals roster this season, but his role is still to be determined.
McMichael suited up in 68 games for the Capitals during the 2021-22 season under last head coach Peter Laviolette, who was often hesitant at providing ice time to the Capitals’ youth. Still, McMichael’s ice time largely saw him lining up at wing — out of position from his usual spot in the middle.
Statistics
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | Hamilton Bulldogs | OHL | 32 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017-18 | London Knights | OHL | 28 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | London Knights | OHL | 67 | 36 | 36 | 72 | 19 |
| 2019-20 | London Knights | OHL | 52 | 47 | 55 | 102 | 26 |
| 2020-21 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 33 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 14 |
| 2021-22 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 68 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 10 |
| 2022-23 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2022-23 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 57 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 12 |
Where Is He Playing This Year?
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said earlier this offseason that he would “pencil in” McMichael to the team’s opening night roster.
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