Brett Connolly
Encyclopedia
Brett Connolly is a Canadian
ice hockey
player for the Tampa Bay Lightning
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He was named the WHL
and CHL Rookie of the Year
in 2008–09
after becoming the first 16-year-old to score 30 goals in the WHL in 13 years. He was selected sixth overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning
in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
. Internationally, Connolly has represented Canada at the 2009 U18 World Championships
and the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
.
, Connolly was selected by his hometown Prince George Cougars
as their first selection, 10th overall, in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. As a 15-year-old, he played major midget for the Caribou Cougars in Prince George, and appeared in four WHL games. He joined the WHL Cougars full time in 2008–09
, scoring 30 goals and 30 assists in 65 games. In doing so, Connolly became the first 16-year-old to score 30 goals in the WHL since Patrick Marleau
in 1995–96. He was named the winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
as WHL rookie of the year in recognition of his season, also capturing the Canadian Hockey League
Rookie of the Year
.
Connolly won a silver medal with Team Pacific at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
. He then joined the Canadian U18
team for the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships
as an under aged player and scored six points in six games for the fourth place team. Connolly also played in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
in August 2009 where he suffered a hip injury. The injury has bothered him into the 2009–10 WHL season
, as he missed some early-season games due to it, and while named to play in the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game
, he was forced out of the game due to the injury.
Connolly was highly ranked for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
. He was listed as the sixth best player amongst North American skaters for the draft by International Scouting services. NHL Central Scouting ranked him fourth overall amongst North American skaters in the midterm rankings despite the injury that has limited him to playing only 12 of the Cougar's first 46 games. In the final rankings, Central Scouting ranked Connolly third among North American skaters. Scouts have described Connolly as a natural leader with good on-ice awareness.
Connolly made Team Canada's roster for the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo.
Connolly made the Lightning in 2011 out of training camp. He scored his first NHL goal on November 1, 2011 against Cam Ward
of the Carolina Hurricanes
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He was named the WHL
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top rookie in the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Jim Piggott who was the founder of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, as well as one of the first presidents of the league.- Winners :...
and CHL Rookie of the Year
CHL Rookie of the Year
The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting*2009–10 Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes*2008–09 Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars...
in 2008–09
2008–09 WHL season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
after becoming the first 16-year-old to score 30 goals in the WHL in 13 years. He was selected sixth overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
2010 NHL Entry Draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...
. Internationally, Connolly has represented Canada at the 2009 U18 World Championships
2009 IIHF World U18 Championships
- Group B :-Relegation round:-Results:Note: The following matches from the preliminary round carry forward to the relegation round:*April 10, 2009: 5-2 *April 14, 2009: 8–3 -Final round:-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Fifth place game:...
and the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
The 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament was an under-18 ice hockey tournament held in Břeclav, Czech Republic and Piešťany, Slovakia from August 11–15, 2009. The two venues were Alcaplast Arena in Břeclav and Patrícia Ice Arena 37 in Piešťany...
.
Playing career
Born in Campbell River, British ColumbiaCampbell River, British Columbia
Campbell River is a coastal city in British Columbia on the east coast of Vancouver Island at the south end of Discovery Passage, which lies along the important coastal Inside Passage shipping route...
, Connolly was selected by his hometown Prince George Cougars
Prince George Cougars
The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
as their first selection, 10th overall, in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. As a 15-year-old, he played major midget for the Caribou Cougars in Prince George, and appeared in four WHL games. He joined the WHL Cougars full time in 2008–09
2008–09 WHL season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
, scoring 30 goals and 30 assists in 65 games. In doing so, Connolly became the first 16-year-old to score 30 goals in the WHL since Patrick Marleau
Patrick Marleau
Patrick Denis Marleau is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He serves as the alternate captain for the Sharks during home games...
in 1995–96. He was named the winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top rookie in the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Jim Piggott who was the founder of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, as well as one of the first presidents of the league.- Winners :...
as WHL rookie of the year in recognition of his season, also capturing the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
Rookie of the Year
CHL Rookie of the Year
The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting*2009–10 Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes*2008–09 Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars...
.
Connolly won a silver medal with Team Pacific at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, originally known as the Quebec Esso Cup, is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Canada. The tournament does not operate during years in which the Canada Winter Games are held. As such, the World Under-17 Challenge is held three out of every...
. He then joined the Canadian U18
Canada national junior hockey team
The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
team for the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships
2009 IIHF World U18 Championships
- Group B :-Relegation round:-Results:Note: The following matches from the preliminary round carry forward to the relegation round:*April 10, 2009: 5-2 *April 14, 2009: 8–3 -Final round:-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Fifth place game:...
as an under aged player and scored six points in six games for the fourth place team. Connolly also played in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
The Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is an annual event held each August for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. Unsanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation , the tournament is not granted official status by the sport's governing body...
in August 2009 where he suffered a hip injury. The injury has bothered him into the 2009–10 WHL season
2009–10 WHL season
The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
, as he missed some early-season games due to it, and while named to play in the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game
CHL Top Prospects Game
The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event in which forty of the top draft eligible prospects in the Canadian Hockey League play against each other, each hoping to boost their draft ranking with the National Hockey League scouts and general managers who attend.The players are typically coached...
, he was forced out of the game due to the injury.
Connolly was highly ranked for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
2010 NHL Entry Draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...
. He was listed as the sixth best player amongst North American skaters for the draft by International Scouting services. NHL Central Scouting ranked him fourth overall amongst North American skaters in the midterm rankings despite the injury that has limited him to playing only 12 of the Cougar's first 46 games. In the final rankings, Central Scouting ranked Connolly third among North American skaters. Scouts have described Connolly as a natural leader with good on-ice awareness.
Connolly made Team Canada's roster for the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo.
Connolly made the Lightning in 2011 out of training camp. He scored his first NHL goal on November 1, 2011 against Cam Ward
Cam Ward
Cameron Kenneth Ward is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League . Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he was raised in Sherwood Park, Alberta...
of the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
Prince George Cougars Prince George Cougars The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
Prince George Cougars | WHL | 65 | 30 | 30 | 60 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 WHL season The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010... |
Prince George Cougars | WHL | 16 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 WHL season The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010.... |
Prince George Cougars | WHL | 59 | 46 | 27 | 73 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| WHL totals | 144 | 86 | 66 | 152 | 72 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Team result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships - Group B :-Relegation round:-Results:Note: The following matches from the preliminary round carry forward to the relegation round:*April 10, 2009: 5-2 *April 14, 2009: 8–3 -Final round:-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Fifth place game:... |
Canada Canada national junior hockey team The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January... |
WJC-U18 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | Fourth place |
| 2011 | Canada | WJC | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2nd |
| International totals | 13 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | |||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | ||
| Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top rookie in the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Jim Piggott who was the founder of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, as well as one of the first presidents of the league.- Winners :... |
2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
|
| CHL Rookie of the Year CHL Rookie of the Year The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting*2009–10 Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes*2008–09 Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars... |
2008–09 | |
- Invited to take part in Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp
- Won silver medal at the 2011 iihf world junior championships