Connor McMichael

Capitals believe Connor McMichael is ready for full-time jump to NHL, plan to eventually make room for him at center

Connor McMichael is primed for his fourth season as a professional hockey player after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Caps opened their Training Camp on Thursday and have made it clear that they believe the 22-year-old forward is finally ready for the full-time jump to the NHL.

Both new head coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Brian MacLellan have spoken about McMichael’s growth as a player. They have also acknowledged his natural position of center which he has rarely gotten the opportunity to play in the NHL.

The praise comes after McMichael took a bit of a step back last year as he got into just six NHL games compared to the 68 he played in his rookie season. But, under a new, more familiar coaching regime, McMichael appears to be set up for more long-term success.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 days ago

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Anthony Mantha and Connor McMichael among new set of faces to join Capitals’ informal skates

With the start of training camp now just days away, more Washington Capitals players are arriving in town to get back onto the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

Thursday, we got a whole new batch of faces, including Anthony Mantha and Connor McMichael, who will both be looking to make a big impression on new head coach Spencer Carbery this preseason.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

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Behind the scenes of the Hershey Bears’ 2023 Calder Cup championship celebration at Giant Center

HERSHEY, PA — The Hershey Bears celebrated the franchise’s twelfth Calder Cup championship at Giant Center on Saturday afternoon. The event marked the first public event fans could attend since the Bears lifted the AHL’s championship trophy in Southern California early Thursday morning. Alternate captain and inventor of the ROAR, Mike Vecchione, scored on a rebound to in overtime of Game 7 to eliminate the first-year Coachella Valley Firebirds in thrilling fashion.

The championship ceremony began at 3 pm and was open to the public. There were so many Bears fans in attendance, many of the players, who had barely slept since winning the championship days before, stayed hours after they were scheduled to leave so no one left empty-handed.

Nothing about the celebration or the fan support felt minor league.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Capitals new assistant coach Mitch Love has past connections to three Capitals prospects

The Washington Capitals made their first hire to join Spencer Carbery’s coaching staff on Thursday when they brought in assistant coach Mitch Love to handle the team’s defensemen.

Love spoke with assembled DC media for the first time on Friday. The 39-year-old, two-time AHL coach of the year discussed a variety of topics including his familiarity with a few names in the Caps organization that just took home a Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears.

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By Chris Cerullo 3 months ago

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Mike Vecchione scores overtime winner in Game 7 to deliver Calder Cup championship to Hershey Bears

Mike Vecchione invented the Hershey Bears’ signature ROAR celebration. In the postseason, the alternate captain delivered a championship to the team.

Vecchione scored the Calder Cup Finals series-winner in Hershey’s 3-2 overtime Game Seven victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Vecchione’s tally came with 3:41 remaining in the first overtime period.

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By Chris Cerullo 3 months ago

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Connor McMichael scores goal in consecutive games for Hershey Bears in Calder Cup Finals

Washington Capitals 2019 first-round pick, Connor McMichael, has scored some big goals for the Hershey Bears during the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs. But he saved his best for last.

After watching the Bears fall behind 2-0 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game Seven, McMichael scored on a second period power play jolting his team back to life.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Hershey Bears blown out in Game Six, fall to Coachella Valley 5-2

The Hershey Bears will face a Game Seven in the Calder Cup Finals after once again having no answers on the road in Southern California against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

The Firebirds defeated the Bears 5-2 in Game Six to tie the series three games apiece. The win was powered by a huge back half of the first period in which Coachella Valley scored three unanswered goals on just nine shots after Connor McMichael had given Hershey an early lead.

Hershey will need to be the first team in the series to win a road game on Wednesday if they want to bring home the franchise’s 12th Calder Cup. Otherwise, it’s season over and no championship silverware.

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By Chris Cerullo 3 months ago

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Connor McMichael ‘excited’ for the chance to play under Spencer Carbery again next season

The Washington Capitals hired former Hershey Bears bench boss Spencer Carbery to be their new head coach in late May. The move was one that signaled the Caps would be moving towards a culture shift regarding the development of their younger players.

Perhaps one of the players most impacted by the hire is Caps prospect and 2019 first-round draft selection, Connor McMichael. McMichael was asked in Hershey this past week to describe his feelings about Carbery’s return to the organization.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 months ago

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Connor McMichael scores game-winning goal to give Hershey 2-1 series lead in Eastern Conference Finals

The Hershey Bears took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals after their 4-2 win on the road over the Rochester Americans, Saturday. The Bears will play one more in Rochester on Monday before heading back home for a big Game Five at Giant Center.

Goaltender Hunter Shepard was masterful in the Bears net, carrying Hershey through large stretches of the game. The Bears also got goals from Logan Day, Sam Anas, Connor McMichael, and Aliaksei Protas as they yet again leaned on their forward depth to win another playoff game.

Hershey needs just two more wins to earn a spot in the Calder Cup Finals.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 months ago

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Connor McMichael’s game-tying goal was clutch. His winking, tongue-wagging celebration was even better

HERSHEY, PA — Ahead of Game One of the Atlantic Division Final, Connor McMichael spent time in practice working on deflections. With a shooter far away from the net, McMichael would try to angle his stick to make contact with the puck, sending it flying in a different direction over the goal line.

On Thursday night, with the Bears trailing the Wolf Pack 2-1 and 2:09 remaining in the game, the Capitals’ top center prospect found a spot in front of the net and deflected a Jake Massie point shot past Hartford goaltender Dylan Garand, sending Giant Center into a frenzy.

Though Connor didn’t do it quite how he practiced.

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By Ian Oland 5 months ago

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