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Capitals select Connor McMichael in first round of 2019 NHL Draft

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The Washington Capitals have selected Canadian center Connor McMichael out of the OHL’s London Knights with the 25th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney announced the pick.

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McMichael was the 24th ranked North American player on the draft board. He played under former Capitals captain Dale Hunter in London.

This is what The Athletic’s Corey Pronman had to say about McMichael in his Draft preview.

McMichael had a great season, as a go-to player for London when its lineup was depleted, and he continued to produce and generate shots at a high level when the roster filled out, although he tailed off toward the end. He doesn’t wow you with his tools, but he’s a quality player. McMichael is a very smart all-around hockey player. He sees the ice very well, is creative with the puck and understands the game away from the puck. He’s not the biggest guy but McMichael competes well. He gets to the net and gets back on defense. With the puck, he’s skilled but not amazingly so. He can make some space with his hands, and his shot can surprise goalies with the ability to pick corners. His skating leaves some to be desired. He has decent speed but not great for his size, and his stride is inefficient. I give a nod to his sense and production as indicators that he could play in the NHL.

London Knights assistant coach Rick Steadman on McMichael: “He makes plays. He can play up and down a lineup. He can play at both ends of the ice. He’s very skilled and has a great shot.”

According to the NHL scouting report:

  • McMichael ranked second on the OHL’s Western Conference-leading London Knights with 36 goals, 36 assists and 72 points in 67 games. It marked a 56-point improvement over his 2017-18 rookie campaign (8-8-16 in 60 games).
  • He skated for Canada White at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he collected one goal, three assists, and four points in six games.
  • He models his style of play after Flames forward Sean Monahan.

McMichael has an average height and weight at six-feet tall and 182 pounds.

He has a lazy autograph.

Highlights video

More from the Capitals:

VANCOUVER – The Washington Capitals selected center Connor McMichael with the 25th overall selection in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft on Friday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

McMichael, 18, was ranked 11th overall among North American centers and 20th overall among forwards by NHL Central Scouting. The Ajax, Ont., native spent the 2018-19 season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). McMichael ranked second on London with 72 points (36g, 36a) in 67 games, while his 36 goals were tied for 20th in the OHL. The 6’0”, 182-pound forward also recorded five points (2g, 3a) in 11 playoff games.

In 127 career OHL games, between London and the Hamilton Bulldogs, McMichael has recorded 88 points (44g, 44a).

McMichael has represented Canada, skating for Canada White, at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he recorded four points (1g, 3a) in six games.

With McMichael’s selection, 16 of Washington’s first-round picks in team history have been centers. McMichael marks the Capitals’ first center selected in the opening round since Filip Forsberg (11th overall) in 2012. Additionally, McMichael is the 15th player the Capitals have selected in the first round from the OHL in franchise history and the first since Tom Wilson (16th overall) in 2012.

Headline photo: NBCSN

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