McMichael looks to bring leadership elements to Team Canada

Connor McMichael is looking to be a leader on the World Juniors stage.

As a Team Canada returnee, the London Knights forward is well equipped with the experience of representing his country in high-pressure moments. Over last year’s tournament, he put up five goals and seven points that included a third period marker in the gold medal game and a helper on the golden goal itself.

Coming off a 102-point 2019-20 campaign in London, his role as a reliable centreman is unquestionable. Having played all positions up front for Team Canada last year, head coach Andre Tourigny is no stranger to his versatility, either.

Beyond that, the Ajax, Ont. native brings to the team a bout of experience at the NHL level, having spent his summer in the Toronto bubble with the Washington Capitals. Though he ultimately didn’t appear on the ice during the Stanley Cup playoffs, it was an experience that afforded him a unique taste of competitiveness and a leg up on the bubble lifestyle, both of which could prove to be vital in this year’s unusual tournament.

“I think a lot of guys have been asking how the NHL bubble was and what you do to stay busy. Guys have been bouncing questions off me and I’ve been giving answers,” said the Knights forward in Wednesday’s media availability. “Obviously as a returning guy this year you want to be a leader, and I think that’s something important: to make everyone feel comfortable.”

He spoke to having a front row seat to the pro lifestyle and the intensity that came with fighting for a spot on the NHL stage following the unprecedented months-long break; an advantage he shares with a handful of his Team Canada teammates.

“It was a great atmosphere. The guys were excited to get back after a few months break and you could tell right away. The guys were competitive, they’re all competing for a spot back on the team too, to play in the playoffs,” he said of the experience.

“Playoffs is what they all work for, they work toward the Stanley Cup. Training camp was a little bit different; it was a lot more competitive. I had a lot of fun just watching those guys in practice and seeing how they handle the playoff atmosphere.”

Fast forward to this week in Red Deer, Alta., where Team Canada’s camp was back in full swing following a two-week quarantine. The 19-year-old has impressed in a number of capacities, starting out the week alongside fellow returnee Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach, a graduate of the Saskatoon Blades.

After Wednesday’s intrasquad game, the club’s first since Nov. 22, Tourigny spoke highly of the trio’s performance and their potential as linemates when the puck drops on December 26th.

#WorldJuniors head coach Andre Tourigny singled out the performance of @LondonKnights forward Connor McMichael (@con91mcmichael) and his potential with @HockeyCanada linemates Kirby Dach (@kdach77) and Dylan Cozens (@Dylan_Cozens) following Wednesday’s intrasquad game ???? pic.twitter.com/59Lbtogwvv

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) December 10, 2020

“They had a really good night, especially on the power play, they were really productive today. That was obviously the best lineup on Team White,” said Tourigny.

McMichael also shared complimentary words for his two teammates, pointing out Dach’s exemplary hockey sense, size and ability to protect the puck.

“He has really good hands, he’s just an all around great player and I’m really happy I get to play with him,” he said of the Blackhawks standout.

“Obviously those two are amazing players. Kirby has a year in the NHL under his belt. It’s just awesome playing with those guys and I think we’ve built some good chemistry. They’re big and strong. Coz generates a lot of speed to the neutral zone so I think we compliment each other really well.”

Team Canada’s 25-man roster was officially set in stone as of Friday. Following the weekend’s final practices before the team’s departure for the Edmonton bubble, Tourigny spoke of McMichael’s newfound spot centering a line with Saginaw Spirit forward Cole Perfetti and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Peyton Krebs while giving a nod to his versatility up front; an attractive asset on an already flexible team.

“Mike in London plays centre, and last year for us at the World Juniors, he played every position. I had a good chat with him and said we fully expect him to play every position. He will have time on both wing and centre. I think Mike can do everything on the ice for me in the sense that he can play against every play,” continued Tourigny, who stood behind the bench during last year’s gold medal run as an assistant. “He can play in a fancy role, he can shut down, he does a lot of good stuff. He’s a really important player for us. Right now we’re playing him with Perf and Krebsy. It’s a really good line.”

With options open for where’s he’ll end up come puck drop, McMichael’s expressed he’s excited to be taking in Tourigny’s playing style which, he says, hasn’t been too hard to adapt to.

“I think a lot of the things are the same. Obviously they’re two different coaches. [Tourigny] was here last year with Dale so he obviously took some things from Dale and vice versa. I don’t think it’s too hard to adapt to [Tourigny’s] playing style, a few things are different, a little bit different systems, but for the most part it’s around the same thing and they’re both amazing coaches, we’ve seen what he’s done in Ottawa the last couple years. He’s a great coach and I’m excited to play for him.”

As he looks to continue to impress under Tourigny’s leadership, he’s hoping a combination of experience in this tournament, at the NHL level and with the bubble lifestyle will prove he, too, can bring his own elements of leadership into the mix while striving to defend Canada’s gold medal on home soil.

“We have a great group of guys here and it won’t be hard to stay focused on that gold medal,” he said. “Being in a bubble away from family and friends is a little tough, but you learn that mental mindset to stay strong and reach that ultimate goal, which is that gold medal.”