Mike Connolly (ice hockey)

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Mike Connolly
2023-10-29 Eisbaren Berlin gegen Straubing Tigers (Deutsche Eishockey-Liga 2023-24) by Sandro Halank-072.jpg
Mike Connolly in 2023
Born (1989-07-03) July 3, 1989 (age 35)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
DEL team
Former teams		 Straubing Tigers
Colorado Avalanche
Augsburger Panther
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2011–present

Michael Brian Connolly (born July 3, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Connolly has previously played in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Avalanche.

Contents

Playing career

Undrafted, after playing junior hockey in the AJHL for the Camrose Kodiaks, Connolly attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team after the 2008-09 season, Connolly remained on a point-per-game average through his sophomore season. In his Junior year, he led the Bulldogs with 54 points in 42 game en route to the NCAA Championship and a WCHA First All-Star Team selection. [1]

On April 13, 2011, shortly after his team won the Championship, Connolly signed a three-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. [2]

In his first professional season in 2011–12, Connolly was assigned to the Sharks American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks. He led Worcester rookies with 30 points in 40 games before he was dealt by San Jose at the trade deadline on February 27, 2012, to the Colorado Avalanche, along with Jamie McGinn and Michael Sgarbossa in exchange for Daniel Winnik, TJ Galiardi and a seventh round selection. [3] He was then assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. After two games with the Monsters, Connolly was unexpectedly recalled by the Avalanche and made his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild in a 2-0 victory on March 4, 2012. [4]

After off-season knee surgery, Connolly missed the start of the 2012–13 season with the Lake Erie Monsters. As a result, Connolly struggled offensively upon his return until the latter portion of the season to contribute with 9 goals for 23 points in 65 games. His rights were not retained by Colorado and he was released as a free agent at the conclusion of his contract.

On July 18, 2013, Connolly was signed to his first European contract, on a one-year deal with German club, Augsburger Panther. [5] In his first European season in 2013–14, Connolly quickly adapted to the larger ice and cemented his position as center on the top scoring line for Augsburg. Despite missing out on the post-season, Connolly lead the team with 28 assists and placed second in points with 42 to re-sign to a one-year extension on February 23, 2014. [6]

In the following 2014–15 season, Connolly was limited to 22 games due to a cruciate ligament injury, and was unable to reproduce his initial success in the DEL. After finishing with 11 points, Connolly left as a free agent and signed a one-year contract with fellow DEL club, the Straubing Tigers on March 26, 2015. [7]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2006–07 Camrose Kodiaks AJHL 4718304879177132028
2007–08Camrose KodiaksAJHL37254166391235838
2008–09 U. of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 4313294253—————
2009–10 U. of Minnesota-DuluthWCHA3714264024—————
2010–11 U. of Minnesota-DuluthWCHA4228265459—————
2011–12 Worcester Sharks AHL 4010203026—————
2011–12 Lake Erie Monsters AHL133474—————
2011–12 Colorado Avalanche NHL 20002—————
2012–13 Lake Erie MonstersAHL659142321—————
2013–14 Augsburger Panther DEL 5214284276—————
2014–15 Augsburger PantherDEL22471130—————
2015–16 Straubing Tigers DEL49827354870006
2016–17 Straubing TigersDEL52939485320110
2017–18 Straubing TigersDEL4712304244—————
2018–19 Straubing TigersDEL521537523620008
2019–20 Straubing TigersDEL5214314550—————
2020–21 Straubing TigersDEL2314516—————
2021–22 Straubing TigersDEL531934533841120
2022–23 Straubing TigersDEL501622383373140
2023–24 Straubing TigersDEL521134453512111126
NHL totals20002—————
DEL totals504123293416459345141920
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada West
World Junior A Challenge
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2007 Trail

Awards and honors

AwardYear
International
World Junior A Challenge Most Valuable Player 2007
College
WCHA All-Rookie Team 2008–09
WCHA All-Tournament Team 2009 [8]
All-WCHA First Team 2010–11 [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Matt Frattin, Jake Gardiner Named To All-WCHA Teams". Toronto Maple Leafs. March 31, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  2. ↑ "UMD's Mike Connolly signs with San Jose Sharks". CBSSports.com. April 13, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Avalanche acquire McGinn as well as prospects Connolly and Sgarbossa". Denver Post. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Avs' Mike Connolly familiar with site of NHL debut". Denver Post. March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Panthers are complete: Mike Connolly switches to Augsburger". Augsburger Panther. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  6. ↑ "The next important contract: Panthers keep Connolly" (in German). Augsburger Panther. February 23, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Tigers announce the acquisition of four players" (in German). Straubing Tigers. March 26, 2015. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ "WCHA Tourney History". WCHA. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
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