After looking good in pre-season play, Michael McCarron hung on to the very end of training camp, and was one of the Montreal Canadiens’ last cuts before the season began. He had a decent showing in the games he played, including a nice individual effort for a goal.
He will return to the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League to take part in their final practices before the AHL season begins.
Les Canadiens ont cédé l’attaquant Michael McCarron aux IceCaps ce matin / Canadiens assigned forward Michael McCarron to St. John’s today.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 10, 2016
He will be in a battle with Charles Hudon for the team’s number-one centre job, as the team will hope to turn its fortunes around after just missing the playoffs last season.
The IceCaps first game goes on Friday night in Hartford, the first of a three games in three days to start the season.
Some may be disappointed by this news, but it’s probably healthier for McCarron’s development for him to enjoy 20+ minutes a night on St. John’s first line, as opposed to being used as a fighter on the 4th line in the NHL.
The Canadiens are now down to 14 forwards, eight defencemen, and three goalies. They have until tomorrow to submit their final 23-man roster to the NHL.
In other news, the team confirmed that rookies Artturi Lehkonen and Mikhail Sergachev will be on the opening night roster.
