Capitals prospect Connor McMichael is having a breakout season. Not only did he secure gold with Team Canada at 2020 World Junior Championship over the winter break, but he’s also racking up goals and points with the London Knights of the OHL at a blistering pace, including four hat tricks.
As it turns out, McMichael also has a very important mentor on the Capitals roster: recently re-signed star centerman Nicklas Backstrom.
Capitals head coach Todd Reirden revealed the influence that Backstrom had had on McMichael when speaking to the media following practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday.
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Head Coach Todd Reirden on the Backstrom extension, Ryan Zimmerman's goalie practice, and #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/l1qEhirxOR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2020
Reirden’s comments begin at 1:35.
“To me, [Backstrom] defines what it means to be a Capital, both on the ice, off the ice. How he behaves, what he does, in terms of how he works in the community to make things better. But nothing can come close to what he does in the locker room and on the ice,” Reirden told the media. “He’s a tremendous player and [a] tremendous leader for us, and going to continue to be a good mentor for some really good young players we have coming.
“I know Connor McMichael, in particular, spoke highly of how Nick had worked with him and how first-class everyone treated him in his beginning phases of becoming a Washington Capital. And I think that’s really important to have those type of people in-house to do that and mentor the next phase of players. Something I’ve talked a lot with Brian [MacLellan] about.”
With McMichael continuing to impress with his performance on the World stage and in the OHL, it’s great to know he has veteran guidance in Nicklas Backstrom but also support from the rest of the Capitals organization.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
