Connor McMichael

Playing career

Connor McMichael entered the OHL when the Hamilton Bulldogs picked him 11th overall in the first round of the 2017 Priority Draft. He first suited up for the Bulldogs on September 23, 2017, but failed to get on the scoresheet in a 4-1 defeat to the Niagara IceDogs. A couple of games later, on September 29, he collected his first OHL point by setting up Isaac Nurse’s goal in a 2-0 win over the Mississauga Steelheads. It took until his 24th game—December 9—for McMichael to notch his first goal, beating Saginaw Spirit goaltender Cameron Lamour during a 7-1 victory. On December 17, he posted a goal and an assist for his first multi-point outing, helping the Bulldogs top the Peterborough Petes 5-2. The Bulldogs then dealt McMichael to the London Knights on January 8, 2018, in exchange for Robert Thomas and five draft picks. Across 32 games with Hamilton that season, he put up five goals and 10 points.

McMichael wrapped up his rookie OHL campaign in London. He made his Knights debut on January 11, 2018, going pointless in a 5-1 loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Three days later, on January 14, he scored his first goal for London, beating Luke Richardson in a 2-1 win over the same Rangers squad. Over 28 games with the Knights, he managed three goals and six points. On March 22, McMichael played his first OHL playoff game, but he was held without a point in a 5-4 loss to the Owen Sound Attack. He finished the postseason with no points in four appearances.