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Connor McMichael promoted to Team Canada’s first line by Dale Hunter

By Ian Oland

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December 30, 2019 3:03 pm

After a strong start to the World Junior Championship, Connor McMichael has been promoted to Team Canada’s first line.

The Capitals’ 2019 first-round pick was placed on the left wing and skated with center Barrett Hayton, Canada’s captain, and right wing Nolan Foote during Canada’s 4-1 win over Team Germany, Monday.

McMichael also skated on Team Canada’s second powerplay unit.

McMichael was officially promoted to the first line Sunday during Team Canada practice. The London Knights’ leading scorer replaced Alexis Lafrenière on the top line after the likely 2020 first overall pick suffered a right leg injury during Canada’s game Saturday against Russia.

An MRI revealed no fractures or torn ligaments, but Lafrenière was held out of Monday’s game against Germany. His participation in the tournament moving forward is still to be determined.

Lafrenière’s agent Emilie Castonguay told Bob McKenzie:

We are having the MRI results reviewed by doctors both in Minnesota and Montreal to make sure we are making the right decisions. Alexis wants to play more than anything but that decision will be taken based on his long-term future and to not risk anything. It is simply too important. If there is any risk to aggravate the injury or expose a weakened knee to any further injury, he will not be taking that risk.

During the Germany game, McMichael had two shots in 19:54 of ice time.

He has one point, a goal, in his first-ever U-20 World Junior Championship. He called playing for Team Canada “a dream come true.”

Headline photo: IIHF headshot

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