{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 1995)}} {{for|the American basketball player|Mike McCarron}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Michael McCarron | image = 2025-05-04 Deutschland gegen USA (Eishockey-Länderspiel) by Sandro Halank–037.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = McCarron in 2025 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|3|7}} | birth_place = Grosse Pointe, Michigan, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 6 | weight_lb = 232 | position = Forward | shoots = Right | league = NHL | team = Minnesota Wild | prospect_team = | prospect_league = AHL | former_teams = Montreal Canadiens<br>Nashville Predators | ntl_team = <!-- Senior caps only--> | draft = 25th overall | draft_year = 2013 | draft_team = Montreal Canadiens | career_start = 2015 | career_end = }} '''Michael McCarron''' (born March 7, 1995) is an American professional hockey player who is a forward for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL entry draft.
==Playing career== As a youth, he played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Belle Tire minor ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=January 5, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
McCarron was rated as a top prospect who fulfilled the expectation to be a first round selection at the 2013 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=June 2, 2013 |title=ISS Draft Rankings (Final 2013) |url=https://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=96402 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607142352/https://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=96402 |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=www.tsn.ca |language=en}}</ref> He trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) team from 2011 to 2013,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://thehockeywriters.com/michael-mccarron-the-next-ones-nhl-2013-draft-prospect-profile/ | title = Michael McCarron - The Next Ones: NHL 2013 Draft Prospect Profile | website = TheHockeyWriters.com | date = May 17, 2013| accessdate = June 14, 2013}}<!-- Bot generated title --></ref> and won a silver medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/2864785-2013-iihf-u18-men-s-world-championship | title = 2013 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship | website = USA Hockey | accessdate = April 1, 2013}}</ref>
McCarron initially committed to play for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Western Michigan University Broncos, before opting out to continue his development through Canadian junior ranks with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=207112460 | title = Incoming freshman named to World U18 squad | website = Western Michigan Broncos | date = April 8, 2013 | accessdate = July 6, 2013}}</ref> Originally playing (and drafted) as a right winger, McCarron made the switch to center during his first OHL season.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/sports/national_sports/article_b3b9ec80-f602-5a83-87c3-cc2f604c1a64.html | title = Big Michael McCarron could be Canadiens' dream centre of the future | date = September 14, 2015 | newspaper = Kelowna Daily Courier | last = Whyno | first = Stephen | accessdate = February 5, 2016}}</ref> On July 11, 2013, McCarron was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2013 |title=Canadiens sign Michael McCarron to an entry level contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/canadiens-sign-michael-mccarron-to-an-entry-level-contract/c-677715 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122210/https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/canadiens-sign-michael-mccarron-to-an-entry-level-contract/c-677715 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website= |publisher=Montreal Canadiens |language=en-US |via=NHL.com}}</ref>
In the midst of the 2014–15 season, McCarron was traded by the Knights to OHL contenders, the Oshawa Generals, on January 1, 2015,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://chl.ca/ohl-generals/oshawa-generals-acquire-michael-mccarron-and-dakota-mermis-from-the-london-knights/ | title = Oshawa Generals acquire McCarron and Mermis from the London Knights | website = CHL.ca | date = January 1, 2015 | accessdate = January 1, 2015}}</ref> with whom he won the J. Ross Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Generals finish off Otters to win OHL title |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/generals-finish-off-otters-to-win-ohl-title/|website=Sportsnet.ca |accessdate=July 25, 2024|date=May 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Pyette|first1=Ryan|title=Oshawa Generals win Memorial Cup in overtime|url=https://torontosun.com/2015/05/31/oshawa-generals-when-memorial-cup-in-overtime|accessdate=July 25, 2024|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 31, 2015}}</ref>
After a good start in his first professional year in 2015–16, he was called up by the Canadiens and played two games in the National Hockey League (NHL), though without picking up any points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2015 |title=Michael McCarron called up - Montréal Canadiens - News |url=http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=43815 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219161130/http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=43815 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=canadiens.nhl.com}}</ref> As a result of his good play in the American Hockey League (AHL), McCarron was named to the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic.<ref name="All-Star">{{cite web |date=January 6, 2016 |title=ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC |url=https://theahl.com/news/rosters-announced-for-ahl-all-star-classic-2 |accessdate=December 22, 2025 |website=TheAHL.com}}</ref> He was later called up again by the Canadiens on February 26, 2016, after forwards Dale Weise and Tomáš Fleischmann were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Canadiens trade Weise, Fleischmann to Blackhawks for Danault and a pick |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canadiens-trade-weise-fleischmann-to-blackhawks-for-danault-and-a-pick/ |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref> On February 27, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal, in a 4–1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Farrell |first1=Sean |title=Pacioretty scores twice, Canadiens top Maple Leafs |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/montreal-canadiens-toronto-maple-leafs-recap-279209048 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 17, 2024 |date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> He scored his first NHL goal in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames on March 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hickey|first1=Pat|title=In the Habs' Room: McCarron's first NHL goal spoils Backstrom's shutout bid|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/montreal-canadiens/in-the-habs-room-mccarrons-first-nhl-goal-spoils-backstroms-shutout-bid|accessdate=February 9, 2018|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=March 20, 2016}}</ref>
While playing with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, during the 2018–19 season, McCarron underwent a season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in February 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medical update on Michael McCarron |url=https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/michael-mccarron---medical-update/c-304579146|publisher=Montreal Canadiens |via=NHL.com |accessdate=February 10, 2019 |date=February 7, 2019}}</ref>
McCarron became a restricted free agent after the 2018–19 season. On July 27, 2019, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-inside-out/canadiens-sign-mike-mccarron-to-one-year-two-way-contract|title=Canadiens sign Mike McCarron to one-year, two-way contract|last=Cowan|first=Stu|date=July 27, 2019|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|language=en-CA|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref>
Continuing with Laval, McCarron entered the 2019–20 season, contributing with five goals and 14 points in 29 games. Having been passed on the depth chart and with limited prospects with the Canadiens, McCarron was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Laurent Dauphin on January 7, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Montreal Canadiens trade forward to Preds for Dauphin |url=https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadiens-trade-forward-michael-mccarron-to-nashville-predators-for-forward-laurent-dauphin-1.1423884 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209142541/https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadiens-trade-forward-michael-mccarron-to-nashville-predators-for-forward-laurent-dauphin-1.1423884 |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=TSN.ca}}</ref>
On December 11, 2022, McCarron entered the NHL Player Assistance Program for issues related to substance abuse,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diamond |first=Jim |date=March 15, 2024 |title=McCarron’s biggest fight was off the ice |url=https://hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=14663&date=3/15/2024#:~:text=On%20Dec.,the%20game%20for%20some%20time. |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=hamiltoncountyherald.com}}</ref> and returned more than a month later, on January 18, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Preds' McCarron returns from assistance program |url=https://www.espn.in/nhl/story/_/id/35475803/nashville-michael-mccarron-returns-player-assistance-program |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
On April 16, 2023, McCarron signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Predators.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2023 |title=Predators Sign Michael McCarron to 1-Year, $775,000 Contract for 2023-24 {{!}} Nashville Predators |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-sign-michael-mccarron-to-1-year-775-000-contract-f-343599018 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website= |publisher=Nashville Predators |language=en |via=NHL.com}}</ref>
On February 16, 2024, McCarron signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with the Predators.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Predators Sign Michael McCarron to Two-Year, $1.8 Million Contract {{!}} Nashville Predators |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/predators-sign-michael-mccarron-to-two-year-1-8-million-contract |access-date=December 22, 2025 |publisher=Nashville Predators |language=en |via=NHL.com}}</ref>
During the {{nhly|2025}} season, having posted 12 points through 59 games, McCarron was traded by the Predators to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick on March 3, 2026.<ref>{{citeweb| url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/report-predators-send-mccarron-to-wild-for-second-round-pick/ | title = Predators send McCarron to Wild for second-round pick | publisher = The Sports Network | date = March 3, 2026 | accessdate = March 3, 2026}}</ref> During the Wild's first round series against the Dallas Stars during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored his first playoff goal during the second period when he took a pass from Marcus Foligno, entered the offensive zone 1-on-2, and beat Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger far side.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/dal-vs-min/2026/04/22/2025030163 |title=Dallas Stars - Minnesota Wild - Apr 22 |website=NHL.com |date=April 22, 2026 |access-date=April 22, 2026}}</ref>
==International play== {{MedalTableTop|name=}} {{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}} {{MedalSport| Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalGold|2025 Sweden/Denmark|}} {{MedalBottom}} McCarron represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded one goal and one assist in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/iihf-world-championship-hockey-2025-final |title=U.S. men’s hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933 |website=NBC Sports |first=Nick |last=Zaccardi |date=May 25, 2025 |access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== While playing for the Predators' AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, he was given the nickname "Big Show", which was later changed to "Big Sexy" by then teammate Matt Benning.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2022/04/01/nashville-predators-michael-mccarron-big-sexy-nickname-matt-benning/7223608001/ | title=How Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron got 'Big Sexy' nickname | newspaper=The Tennessean|last=Skrbina|first=Paul|date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2010–11 | Honeybaked 18U AAA | T1EHL | 38 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2011–12 | U.S. NTDP Juniors | USHL | 35 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 112 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |- | 2011–12 | U.S. NTDP U17 | USDP | 53 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 128 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2012–13 | U.S. NTDP Juniors | USHL | 19 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2012–13 | U.S. NTDP U18 | USDP | 59 | 16 | 21 | 37 | 182 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2013–14 | London Knights | OHL | 66 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 120 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 22 |- | 2014–15 | London Knights | OHL | 25 | 22 | 19 | 41 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 31 | 6 | 21 | 27 | 70 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 33 |- | 2015–16 | St. John's IceCaps | AHL | 58 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015–16 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2016–17 | St. John's IceCaps | AHL | 32 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 66 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 31 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |- | 2017–18 | Laval Rocket | AHL | 54 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 121 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2018–19 | Laval Rocket | AHL | 32 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Laval Rocket | AHL | 29 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2019–20 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 27 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2021–22 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 51 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |- | 2022–23 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 32 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022–23 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 16 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 24 |- | 2023–24 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 70 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 100 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024–25 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 74 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 102 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2025–26 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 59 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 20 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 381 ! 36 ! 43 ! 79 ! 515 ! 20 ! 2 ! 2 ! 4 ! 4 |}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2012 | United States | U17 | {{silver2}} | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2013 | United States | U18 | {{silver2}} | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 |- | 2025 | United States | WC | {{gold1}} | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 12 ! 4 ! 3 ! 7 ! 16 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Senior totals ! 10 ! 1 ! 1 ! 2 ! 2 |}
==Awards and honors== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3"|OHL |- | J. Ross Robertson Cup champion | 2015 | <ref>{{cite web|title=Oshawa Generals win Robertson Cup|url=https://chl.ca/ohl/oshawa-generals-win-robertson-cup/|website=CHL.ca|date=May 15, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref> |- ! colspan="3"|CHL |- | Memorial Cup champion | 2015 | <ref>{{cite web|title=Oshawa Generals win 2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup|url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/oshawa-generals-win-2015-mastercard-memorial-cup/|website=CHL.ca|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref> |- | Memorial Cup All-Star Team | 2015 | <ref>{{cite web|title=2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup Awards and All-Stars|url=https://chl.ca/ohl/2015-mastercard-memorial-cup-awards-and-all-stars/|website=CHL.ca|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref> |- ! colspan="3"|AHL |- | |AHL All-Star Classic | 2016 | <ref name = "All-Star"/> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Alex Galchenyuk | title = Montreal Canadiens first-round draft pick | years = 2013 | after = Nikita Scherbak}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCarron, Michael}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:American men's ice hockey right wingers Category:Ice hockey players from Michigan Category:Laval Rocket players Category:London Knights players Category:Milwaukee Admirals players Category:Minnesota Wild players Category:Montreal Canadiens draft picks Category:Montreal Canadiens players Category:Nashville Predators players Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:Oshawa Generals players Category:St. John's IceCaps players Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players Category:21st-century American sportsmen