2019
You see a big jump in years here. It’s too early to tell for others if they will be good NHL players. Heck, it’s too early to tell for most of these guys, especially this guy. But after what this kid has done in his limited NHL time and his career so far in junior hockey, it’s hard to not be excited for this player.
McMichael was drafted 25th overall in the 2019 NHL draft. In his draft year he put up 36 goals and 72 points in 67 games. Everything you read about this guy said he was a good player with good potential.
Then he played in some preseason games and personally blew me away. I was surprised he did not get more of a look in the preseason and maybe even a start in the NHL before sending him back to juniors. The team ended up sending him back early.
He then went on to put up some very, very impressive numbers. In the 52 games played with the London Knights this season McMichael scored 47 goals and 102 points. He had six hat tricks last season and was named to the OHL’s second all-star team.
It is, of course, way too early to tell how good McMichael will be. However, everything I’ve seen and everything I’ve read says this kid has the potential to be a very good player. To pick someone this good at number twenty-five was a tremendous pick.