Kevin Connauton

Last updated

Kevin Connauton
Kevin Connauton 2014-12-13 2.JPG
Connauton with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014
Born (1990-02-23) February 23, 1990 (age 30)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Florida Panthers
Dallas Stars
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arizona Coyotes
Colorado Avalanche
NHL Draft 83rd overall, 2009
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2010–present

Kevin Connauton (born February 23, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 83rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Connauton has also played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche.

Contents

Connauton played Junior A with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) before joining the Western Michigan Broncos of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in 2008–09. He joined the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the 2009–10 season. Connauton set franchise records for most goals and points by a defenceman, while being named a WHL West First Team All-Star.

Playing career

Junior

Connauton began his junior career in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints in 2007–08. He recorded 13 goals and 45 points over 56 games – first among rookie defencemen and third among defencemen overall – to earn a rookie of the year nomination and a unanimous selection to the AJHL North All-Rookie Team. [1] He garnered interest from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, who put him on their protected list in October 2008, [2] but opted to play college hockey instead in the NCAA. [3] He signed with the Western Michigan Broncos of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in April 2008 and initially intended to join them for the 2009–10 season, due to an already full defensive corps. [4] However, after Jesse Perrin departed for the Central Hockey League (CHL) in August 2008, Connauton was invited to join the Broncos for the 2008–09 season. [1] [4] He went on to record a 7-goal, 18-point campaign as a freshman to earn an honourable mention to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.

Going into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Connauton was ranked 202nd among North American draft-eligible prospects. [5] He was subsequently selected in the third round, 83rd overall, by the Vancouver Canucks. He was one of three CCHA players taken in the draft and the highest overall. [6] He was originally eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, but was not chosen. [7] Canucks director of collegiate scouting Stan Smyl highlighted Connauton's break-out pass as one of his strengths, [3] while associate head scout Thomas Gradin noted his skating abilities. [8]

Following his NHL draft, Canucks management encouraged Connauton to join the major junior ranks in hopes of bettering his progress. [9] He accordingly signed with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL on July 29, 2009. [9] Prior to joining the Giants, he attended his first NHL training camp with the Canucks, but was an early cut, being assigned to junior on September 16, 2009. [10] Connauton established himself as a high-scoring defenceman in the WHL. He broke Jonathon Blum's record for goals by a Giants defenceman on January 3, 2010, with his 19th goal of the season. [2] He was later named WHL Player of the Week with a four-goal, 10-point effort in five games from December 27, 2009, to January 3, 2010. [11] In the last month of the regular season, he then broke Brent Regner's mark for most points by a Giants defenceman of 67, set the previous season, with two points against the Kelowna Rockets on March 11. [12] Connauton finished his first WHL season atop the league's scoring list among defencemen (he finished with five more goals than Tyson Barrie, who tied him in point-scoring) and rookies with 72 points in 69 games. [13] [14] He was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team, along with Giants teammate Craig Cunningham. [15] In the playoffs, the Giants advanced to the semifinals, but were eliminated in six games by the Tri-City Americans. Connauton recorded three goals and 13 points over 16 post-season games.

Cannauton at the AHL All-Star Classic 2012 Kevin Connauton (6795572687).jpg
Cannauton at the AHL All-Star Classic 2012

Professional

On April 28, 2010, Connauton signed three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks. [16] He was assigned to the Canucks' minor league affiliate, the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), out of training camp in September. During his AHL debut on October 8, he scored his first goal, a game-winner against goaltender Ben Bishop in a 4–3 win over the Peoria Rivermen. [17] Connauton finished the season with 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists) over 73 games. He added one assist in six playoff games, as the Moose were eliminated by the Lake Erie Monsters in the first round. The following season, Connauton was assigned to a new AHL team, the Chicago Wolves, who had become the Canucks' new minor league affiliate. At mid-season, he was selected to participate in the 2012 AHL All-Star Game. He was one of two Wolves representatives, joining forward Darren Haydar. [18] During the All-Star skills competition, he won the hardest shot competition, recording a slapshot at 99.4 miles per hour.

On April 2, 2013, the Canucks traded Connauton and a second round selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft to the Dallas Stars for Derek Roy. At the time of the trade Connauton was leading the Wolves in goals by a defenceman, 7, and was second for points by a defenceman, with 25. [19]

Connauton started the 2013–14 season with the Dallas Stars, and made his NHL debut October 24, 2013, against the Calgary Flames. [20]

On November 18, 2014, Connauton was picked up off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. [21] On January 13, 2016, Connauton was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes. [22]

On June 27, 2018, Connauton signed a two-year contract with the Coyotes. [23] In the 2018-19 season, Connauton appeared in 50 games with the Coyotes, contributing with 1 goal and 8 points in a bottom six role from the blueline.

On June 25, 2019, Connauton was traded by the Coyotes, along with a third-round 2020 draft pick, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Carl Söderberg. [24] Connauton was waived and re-assigned to begin the 2019–20 season with Avalanche AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Leading the blueline with the Eagles, Connauton posted 5 goals and 27 points through 38 games while making 4 regular season appearances in a recall to the Avalanche. With the COVID-19 pandemic ending the AHL season, Connauton was added to the Avalanche's return to play roster, and made 4 playoff appearances in registering 1 assist.

As a free agent leading into the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Connauton agreed to join the Florida Panthers training camp on a professional tryout basis on December 27, 2020. Remaining with the team upon completion of camp, Connauton was signed by the Panthers to a one-year, two-way contract on January 14, 2021, and was added to the club's taxi squad. [25]

Personal life

Connauton was born on February 23, 1990, in Edmonton, Alberta, to William Connauton and Glenna Demco. [26] His father is a lawyer. His wife is named Brooke.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2005–06CAC Canadians AAA AMHL 3610112160—————
2006–07CAC Canadians AAAAMHL3311132479—————
2006–07 Fort Saskatchewan Traders AJHL 10000—————
2007–08 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL5613324559—————
2008–09 Western Michigan Broncos CCHA 407111844—————
2009–10 Vancouver Giants WHL 69244872107163101321
2010–11 Manitoba Moose AHL 731112235161010
2011–12 Chicago Wolves AHL731320335850118
2012–13 Chicago WolvesAHL607182567—————
2012–13 Texas Stars AHL9246692356
2013–14 Dallas Stars NHL 3617816400016
2013–14 Texas StarsAHL601123—————
2014–15 Dallas StarsNHL80226—————
2014–15 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL549101929—————
2015–16 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL2717821—————
2015–16 Arizona Coyotes NHL3845939—————
2016–17 Arizona CoyotesNHL2401124—————
2016–17 Tucson Roadrunners AHL21232—————
2017–18 Arizona CoyotesNHL7311102120—————
2018–19 Arizona CoyotesNHL5017822—————
2019–20 Colorado Eagles AHL385222736—————
2019–20 Colorado Avalanche NHL4000040116
AHL totals25939791182432034714
NHL totals314274976177801122

Awards and honours

AwardYear
AJHL
North All-Rookie Team2008 [26]
College
CCHA All-Rookie Team honourable mention 2009 [26]
WHL
West First All-Star Team 2010 [15]
CHL All-Rookie Team2010
AHL
All-Star Game 2012

Records

Related Research Articles

Nolan Baumgartner Canadian ice hockey player

Nolan Baumgartner is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Baumgartner was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 1st round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for six different teams. Baumgartner played only one full season in the NHL, 2005–06 with the Vancouver Canucks, and spent most of his playing career in the AHL.

Vancouver Giants

The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their 16-season history. Their home rink was the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, an arena previously used by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Vancouver Canucks. Effective with the 2016–17 season, the team relocated to the Langley Events Centre in the Township of Langley, a suburb of Vancouver.

Dan Hamhuis

Daniel Hamhuis is a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in 2001 by the Nashville Predators.

Andrej Meszároš Slovak ice hockey player

Andrej Meszároš is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who is currently a member of Slovan Bratislava. He previously played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators, the latter of which drafted him in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, 23rd overall.

Shea Weber Canadian ice hockey player

Shea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is an NHL All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

Kevin Bieksa Canadian ice hockey player

Kevin Francesco Bieksa is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He most recently played for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). After a three-year career in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) with the Burlington Cougars, Bieksa was awarded a scholarship to Bowling Green State University. He was a one-time All-CCHA honourable mention during his four-year tenure with the Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in finance, and was a two-time CCHA All-Academic honourable mention in 2003 and 2004. He now co-hosts Hockey Night in Canada.

Dave Scatchard

Dave Scatchard is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues. On August 22, 2011, he announced his retirement on Twitter, stating that doctors told him it would not be safe for him to continue to play hockey due to concussion-related injuries. Scatchard was born in Hinton, Alberta, but grew up in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

Cam Barker Canadian ice hockey player

Cameron Barker is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who is playing for the Dragons de Rouen of the Ligue Magnus. He was selected third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent four seasons with the club before being traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2010. Internationally, Barker played for the Canadian national team, and won back-to-back gold medals at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championships with the junior team. He is widely regarded as a top draft bust.

Michael Grabner Austrian ice hockey player

Michael-René Grabner is an Austrian professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. Grabner grew up playing for the local team in Villach, EC VSV. He moved to North America at the age of 17 and joined the Spokane Chiefs of the major junior Western Hockey League (WHL) to further his hockey career. After his second season with the Chiefs, he was selected 14th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Alexander Edler Swedish ice hockey player

Ulf Niklas Alexander Edler is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted out of Sweden's third-tier ice hockey league by the Canucks in the third round, 91st overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, and played junior ice hockey with Modo Hockey of the J20 SuperElit and the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Jonathon Blum American ice hockey player

Jonathon Gregory Blum is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Aaron Rome Canadian ice hockey player

Aaron Rome is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently serving as a skills coach with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Rome was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

Mário Bližňák Slovak ice hockey player

Mário Bližňák is a Slovak former professional ice hockey center. He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing in the Slovak Extraliga, Bližňák was selected by the Canucks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and moved to North America, joining the Vancouver Giants of the major junior Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2005. Bližňák played three seasons with the Giants, helping them win the Memorial Cup, the national championship for major junior hockey in Canada, in 2007, before joining the Moose in 2008. He is best known as a defensive forward.

Jason Garrison

Jason John Maxwell Garrison is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

The 2009–10 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 40th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Victor Oreskovich

Victor J. Oreskovich is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Selected 55th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, he played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and Kitchener Rangers of the major junior Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before deciding to turn professional. After signing a contract with the Avalanche in 2007, he was assigned to the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, but chose not to report and spent two years away from hockey. In 2009, he signed with the Florida Panthers and spent the subsequent season between the NHL and the team's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. The following off-season, he was traded to the Canucks, joining the team in 2011 on their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Boston Bruins. In October 2011, he was waived by the Canucks and assigned to the Chicago Wolves, the Canucks' AHL affiliate. Oreskovich retired from hockey in 2012, and returned to university in 2015. He completed a Master of Business Administration degree, and joined the Royal Bank of Canada.

Craig Cunningham Canadian ice hockey player

Craig Alvin Cunningham is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played with the Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Boston Bruins, 97th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, before being called up to the Bruins in December 2013.

Tyson Barrie Canadian ice hockey player

Tyson Barrie is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was drafted by the Avalanche in the third round, 64th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Christopher Tanev Canadian ice hockey player

Christopher Tanev is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks.

Brent Regner Canadian ice hockey player

Brent Regner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL). He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers. Regner was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 5th round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. 1 2 Bodnar, Adam (April 18, 2008). "Hockey Signs Four During Spring Signing Period". Western Michigan University . Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Connauton fires bullets for Giants". Edmonton Journal. January 8, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 Mahiben, Dhiren (September 7, 2009). "Kevin Connauton becoming a Vancouver Giant". Vancouver Canucks . Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Mills, Tammy (October 23, 2008). "Early arrival Connauton making impact for Broncos hockey team". MLive.com. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  5. ↑ Jim Connelly (June 27, 2009). "Day 2 Turnaround: College Hockey Fares Well on Saturday at NHL Draft". USCHO News. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  6. ↑ "NHL draft 2009: Collegians, recruits light up the board". ESPN. June 29, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  7. ↑ Pap, Elliott (November 16, 2009). "Q&A with Canucks prospect Kevin Connauton". Vancouver Sun . Retrieved January 21, 2010.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ MacIntyre, Iain (June 29, 2009). "Pair of picks from later rounds has Gillis & Company excited". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Defenceman Kevin Connauton joins Vancouver Giants from NCAA's Western Mighigan". Western Hockey League. July 29, 2009. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Vancouver Canucks reduce pre-season roster". Vancouver Canucks. September 16, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Giants' Connauton Named Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week". Western Hockey League. January 4, 2010. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  12. 1 2 Lyndon Little (March 12, 2010). "Rockets burn Giants early but need a late blast to win". Vancouver Sun . Retrieved March 15, 2010.[ dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Top Scorers - 2009-10 Regular Season - Defencemen". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 11, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Top Scorers - 2009-10 Regular Season - Rookies". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  15. 1 2 "WHL Announces 2009-10 Conference All-Star Teams and Award Finalists". Western Hockey League. March 18, 2010. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  16. ↑ Vancouver Canucks (April 28, 2010). "Canucks sign defenceman Kevin Connauton". Canucks.com. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Game Summary". Manitoba Moose. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  18. ↑ "2012 All-Star rosters unveiled". American Hockey League. January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  19. ↑ Dallas Stars Staff (April 2, 2013). "Dallas Stars Acquire Kevin Connauton and second-round pick in 2013 From Vancouver in Exchange for Derek Roy". DallasStars.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  20. ↑ The Canadian Press (October 25, 2013). "Chiasson, Benn each score 2 goals to carry Stars to 5-1 victory over Flames". NHL.com. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  21. ↑ Mike Halford (November 18, 2014). "With blueline ailing, Columbus claims Connauton off waivers". NBC Sports ProHockeyTalk. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Coyotes Add Depth to Blue Line by Claiming Connauton". coyotes.nhl.com. January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Coyotes sign Connauton to two-year contract". Arizona Coyotes. June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Avalanche acquire Connauton, Third-Round pick from Arizona". Colorado Avalanche. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Florida Panthers agree to terms with Kevin Connauton". Florida Panthers. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 "Kevin Connauton". Western Michigan University . Retrieved January 21, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.