It appears the London Knights have struck again.

Another top prospect is expected to opt to play junior hockey with the defending OHL champs rather than U.S. college.

Sources say they expect forward Michael McCarron to decide to play with the Knights rather than attend Western Michigan University. An official announcement may be made as early as Wednesday after McCarron conferred with his family on Tuesday.

McCarron, 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, was a first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in last month’s NHL draft. He was ranked 35th among North American skaters by Central Scouting.

But those who have scouted him say that his improvement over the last three years has been wonderful and for a big man he has the ability to score goals.

McCarron was a sixth-round pick by the Belleville Bulls in the 2011 OHL draft. He decided to play with the U.S. national development program.

Knights general manager Mark Hunter gained McCarron’s rights in a trade with the Bulls in 2012.

McCarron joins a long list of players the Knights have managed to entice away from the NCAA. Last year alone the Knights brought in defenceman Dakota Mermis, goalie Anthony Stolarz and forward Alex Broadhurst.

This was a more difficult sell because Western Michigan is coached by former Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues head coach Andy Murray and he’s a highly respected coach. Last season, Western Michigan had Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser on its team and he developed into an NHL player under Murray.

There’s no question, though, that the OHL mirrors the NHL when it comes to length of schedule. With the Knights hosting the Memorial Cup tournament in May, any substantial playoff run will guarantee McCarron upwards of 80 games.