Photo: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Considered the Washington Capitals’ top prospect in their pool of young talent, forward Connor McMichael has had an eventful 2020-21 season. Having come one win shy of winning the Gold Medal in the World Junior Championships with Team Canada and making his NHL debut, the 20-year 2019 first-round pick has now added another mark to his resume, his first professional goal. And being undoubtedly the first of many, it was a big one.

With the Junior leagues yet to see game action this season, McMichael is spending the 2020-21 season with the American Hockey League affiliate of the Capitals, the Hershey Bears and on February 11, McMichael scored his first professional goal in the third period of the Bears’ game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:

Connor McMichael with his first professional goal! Bears lead 3-2 in the third. #ALLCAPS #CapsProspect pic.twitter.com/C21dhb3JZX

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 12, 2021

The goal proved to be the game-winner against the Penguins, and helped the Bears to their first win of the season.

Connor McMichael’s first professional goal proves to be the game-winner, as the Bears defeat the @WBSPenguins 3-2 tonight.

Here are the S&T Bank Highlights. #HBH pic.twitter.com/Ei39nIzwmI

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 12, 2021

McMichael made his NHL debut on January 24 and was then re-assigned to Hershey to begin the AHL season. The 20-year old was the 25th overall selection in 2019 and is considered by many to be the team’s top prospect. While the Ontario Hockey League has yet to return to game action, McMichael will return to the London Knights upon any resumption of play.

By Michael Fleetwood