Craig Conn
Encyclopedia
Craig Conn is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Washington Stealth
in the National Lacrosse League
.
in St. Catharines from 1997 to 2001. During those years, he teamed up with fellow NLL players Matt Vinc
, Billy Dee Smith
and Sean Greenhalgh
to win two OFSAA field lacrosse championships (1999, 2001). After Conn graduated, many St. Catharines lacrosse players would follow in Conn's footsteps and play for Holy Cross, which would help the school become a lacrosse powerhouse for years.
in 2002 and 2003. However, he would renounce his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the NLL entry draft
.
in the first round (4th overall) of the 2003 NLL Entry Draft. In the 2004 season
, he was 4th in team scoring with 39 points and was named to 2004 NLL All-Rookie Team. When the Ravens were removed from the 2005
schedule, a dispersal draft
was held, and Conn was taken 1st overall by the Minnesota Swarm
.
After only playing half a season with Minnesota, Conn was dealt at the trade deadline to the Arizona Sting
for their first round draft picks in 2006 & 2007. Conn led Arizona in scoring with 19 points during their playoff run to the 2005 Championship game. Conn also helped lead Arizona to the 2007
Championship game, before losing to the Rochester Knighthawks
.
Prior to the 2008 season
, the Sting announced that they would not play in 2008, and another dispersal draft was held. Conn was selected by the Buffalo Bandits
despite suffering a major knee injury during the summer that sidelined him for the entire 2008 season. The Sting would have retained Conn's rights if they returned in the 2009 season
. However, the Sting ceased operations and another dispersal draft was held. Conn, never having played a game in a Bandits uniform, was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Rock
.
After one season with the Rock, Conn was traded along with a second round draft pick to the Calgary Roughnecks
in exchange for two draft picks.
in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League
from 1999 to 2003. In 1999, he was given the Joey Nieuwendyk Award
for Rookie of the Year. From 2001 to 2003, Conn lead the Athletics to three straight League championships and two Minto Cup
National championships (2001, 2003). He was also a member of the 2004 Minto Cup Champion Burnaby Lakers
of the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League
. He is one of the few players in CLA
history to win 3 Minto Cups in 4 years, and is only one of two players (the other being Shawn Evans) to win a Minto Cup title in two consecutive years with two different teams.
draft, Conn was selected 2nd overall by the New Westminster Salmonbellies
. During the 2007 season, Conn sufferered a major knee injury while playing with the Salmonbellies during the Western Lacrosse Association
's playoffs. This would cause Conn to miss the entire 2008 NLL season
as well as the 2008 WLA season. Conn made his return to Senior lacrosse in 2009 with the Six Nations Chiefs
of Major Series Lacrosse
.
Washington Stealth
The Washington Stealth are a member of the National Lacrosse League, the professional box lacrosse league of North America. Based in Everett , the Stealth began play in the 2010 NLL season, with home games played at the 8,513-seat Comcast Arena at Everett.The team was previously known as the...
in the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
.
High school career
Conn was a four-year starter at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary SchoolHoly Cross Secondary School (St. Catharines)
Holy Cross is a Catholic Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ontario. The school is administered by the Niagara Catholic District School Board.-History:Holy Cross was founded in 1985. Originally known as P.K...
in St. Catharines from 1997 to 2001. During those years, he teamed up with fellow NLL players Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc
Matt Vinc , is a lacrosse goaltender in the National Lacrosse League, currently playing for the Rochester Knighthawks, the Six Nations Chiefs of the MSL, and the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse....
, Billy Dee Smith
Billy Dee Smith
Billy Dee Smith is a professional lacrosse player who plays for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse...
and Sean Greenhalgh
Sean Greenhalgh
Sean Greenhalgh is a lacrosse player for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League. Sean is a cousin to Charlie Mulgrew, a Scottish footballer, who plays for Celtic FC.-Junior career:...
to win two OFSAA field lacrosse championships (1999, 2001). After Conn graduated, many St. Catharines lacrosse players would follow in Conn's footsteps and play for Holy Cross, which would help the school become a lacrosse powerhouse for years.
College career
Conn played for the University of Massachusetts AmherstUMass Minutemen men's lacrosse
The UMass Minutemen men's lacrosse team represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse. UMass had competed in the ECAC Lacrosse League, but as of 2010 transferred to the Colonial Athletic Association . They play their home...
in 2002 and 2003. However, he would renounce his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the NLL entry draft
National Lacrosse League entry draft
The National Lacrosse League entry draft is an annual event where the general managers of National Lacrosse League teams choose eligible players for their rosters from US college programs and Canada's junior lacrosse system....
.
NLL career
Conn was originally drafted by the Vancouver RavensVancouver Ravens
The Vancouver Ravens were a member of the National Lacrosse League , from 2002 to 2004. They played their three seasons at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
in the first round (4th overall) of the 2003 NLL Entry Draft. In the 2004 season
2004 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2004 All-Star Game was held at the Pepsi Center in Denver on February 22, 2004. The East division defeated the West 19-15, and Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named game MVP.-All-Star teams:-Awards:-Weekly Awards:...
, he was 4th in team scoring with 39 points and was named to 2004 NLL All-Rookie Team. When the Ravens were removed from the 2005
2005 NLL season
The 2005 National Lacrosse League season began on January 1, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 14. The Toronto Rock won their fifth NLL championship, defeating the Arizona Sting 19-13 in Toronto....
schedule, a dispersal draft
National Lacrosse League dispersal draft
The National Lacrosse League dispersal draft is a meeting where the general managers of National Lacrosse League teams choose players from teams that are ceasing operations. The NLL has seen a lot of team changes over the years , so dispersal drafts have been commonplace...
was held, and Conn was taken 1st overall by the Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm
Minnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota....
.
After only playing half a season with Minnesota, Conn was dealt at the trade deadline to the Arizona Sting
Arizona Sting
The Arizona Sting was a member of the National Lacrosse League from 2004 to 2007. They played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, from 2001 to 2003 as the Columbus Landsharks. On August 28, 2003, it was announced that the team was relocating to Glendale, Arizona...
for their first round draft picks in 2006 & 2007. Conn led Arizona in scoring with 19 points during their playoff run to the 2005 Championship game. Conn also helped lead Arizona to the 2007
2007 NLL season
The Knighthawks had the overall top seed in the playoffs, but were unable to host the Championship game due to a scheduling conflict at the Blue Cross Arena.-Team Movement:...
Championship game, before losing to the Rochester Knighthawks
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks are a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They play in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997...
.
Prior to the 2008 season
2008 NLL season
The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008....
, the Sting announced that they would not play in 2008, and another dispersal draft was held. Conn was selected by the Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
despite suffering a major knee injury during the summer that sidelined him for the entire 2008 season. The Sting would have retained Conn's rights if they returned in the 2009 season
2009 NLL season
-Pre-season:* August 19, 2008: The NLL announced that the Minnesota Swarm would be moving from the East division to the West division, giving the West six teams to the East's seven....
. However, the Sting ceased operations and another dispersal draft was held. Conn, never having played a game in a Bandits uniform, was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Rock
Toronto Rock
The Toronto Rock is a lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Rock of the late 1990s / early 2000s has been called a dynasty, having won five NLL championships in seven years. From 1999 to 2003, the Rock appeared in an NLL-record...
.
After one season with the Rock, Conn was traded along with a second round draft pick to the Calgary Roughnecks
Calgary Roughnecks
The Calgary Roughnecks are a professional box lacrosse team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Western Division of the National Lacrosse League and play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The team name is derived from the roughnecks who work drilling rigs in...
in exchange for two draft picks.
Junior
Conn made headlines in 1998 when he played with the St. Catharines Jr. B Spartan Warriors at only the age of 14 (the team's head coach was his father, Morris Conn). Conn played 72 games for the St. Catharines AthleticsSt. Catharines Athletics Jr. A
The St. Catharines Athletics are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The Athletics play in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League.-Minto Cup Championships:...
in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League
OLA Junior A Lacrosse League
The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship—the Minto Cup.-The teams:-Playoff Champions:...
from 1999 to 2003. In 1999, he was given the Joey Nieuwendyk Award
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
for Rookie of the Year. From 2001 to 2003, Conn lead the Athletics to three straight League championships and two Minto Cup
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada...
National championships (2001, 2003). He was also a member of the 2004 Minto Cup Champion Burnaby Lakers
Burnaby Lakers Jr. A
The Burnaby Lakers are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The Lakers play in the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League.-1970s:...
of the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League
BC Junior A Lacrosse League
The BC Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in British Columbia, Canada sanctioned by the British Columbia Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship against the champion of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and the Rocky Mountain...
. He is one of the few players in CLA
Canadian Lacrosse Association
The Canadian Lacrosse Association , founded in 1867, is the governing body of lacrosse in Canada. It conducts national junior and senior championship tournaments for men and women in both field and box lacrosse...
history to win 3 Minto Cups in 4 years, and is only one of two players (the other being Shawn Evans) to win a Minto Cup title in two consecutive years with two different teams.
Senior
In the WLAWestern Lacrosse Association
The Western Lacrosse Association is an amateur league of men's Senior A box lacrosse sanctioned by the Canadian Lacrosse Association. It consists of seven teams, based in cities throughout southwestern British Columbia. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the...
draft, Conn was selected 2nd overall by the New Westminster Salmonbellies
New Westminster Salmonbellies
The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991...
. During the 2007 season, Conn sufferered a major knee injury while playing with the Salmonbellies during the Western Lacrosse Association
Western Lacrosse Association
The Western Lacrosse Association is an amateur league of men's Senior A box lacrosse sanctioned by the Canadian Lacrosse Association. It consists of seven teams, based in cities throughout southwestern British Columbia. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the...
's playoffs. This would cause Conn to miss the entire 2008 NLL season
2008 NLL season
The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008....
as well as the 2008 WLA season. Conn made his return to Senior lacrosse in 2009 with the Six Nations Chiefs
Six Nations Chiefs
The Six Nations Chiefs are Senior "A" box lacrosse team from Six Nations, Ontario. The chiefs play in the Major Series Lacrosse Senior "A" League.-See also:* Six Nations Arrows - an affiliated Junior "A" box lacrosse team.-External links:* * * *...
of Major Series Lacrosse
Major Series Lacrosse
Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the...
.
National Lacrosse League
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | ||
| 2004 | Vancouver | 13 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 60 | 17 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2005 | Minnesota | 8 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 78 | 17 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| Arizona | 5 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 33 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 13 | 4 | |||
| 2006 | Arizona | 15 | 44 | 23 | 67 | 91 | 42 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 2007 | Arizona | 16 | 21 | 55 | 76 | 106 | 35 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 21 | 4 | ||
| 2009 | Toronto | 11 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 68 | 52 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| NLL Totals | 68 | 118 | 138 | 256 | 436 | 169 | 8 | 25 | 24 | 49 | 49 | 12 | |||
Canadian Lacrosse Association
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998 | Spartan Warriors | OLA Jr B OLA Junior B Lacrosse League The Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association in Ontario, Canada.-History:The Junior "B" level of the Ontario Lacrosse Association has been around since at least 1964... |
4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1999 | St. Catharines Athletics St. Catharines Athletics Jr. A The St. Catharines Athletics are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The Athletics play in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League.-Minto Cup Championships:... |
OLA Jr A OLA Junior A Lacrosse League The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship—the Minto Cup.-The teams:-Playoff Champions:... |
17 | 33 | 21 | 54 | 50 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 39 | ||
| 2000 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr A | 8 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 14 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 31 | ||
| 2001 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr A | 15 | 26 | 30 | 56 | 61 | 13 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 51 | ||
| Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
St. Catharines Athletics | CLA Canadian Lacrosse Association The Canadian Lacrosse Association , founded in 1867, is the governing body of lacrosse in Canada. It conducts national junior and senior championship tournaments for men and women in both field and box lacrosse... |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 27 | ||
| 2002 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr A | 10 | 18 | 16 | 34 | 81 | 10 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 42 | ||
| Minto Cup | St. Catharines Athletics | CLA | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 12 | 8 | 20 | 13 | ||
| 2003 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr A | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 74 | 12 | 29 | 23 | 52 | 54 | ||
| Minto Cup | St. Catharines Athletics | CLA | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 13 | 16 | 29 | -- | ||
| 2004 | Burnaby Lakers Burnaby Lakers Jr. A The Burnaby Lakers are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The Lakers play in the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League.-1970s:... |
BC JR A BC Junior A Lacrosse League The BC Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in British Columbia, Canada sanctioned by the British Columbia Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship against the champion of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and the Rocky Mountain... |
18 | 28 | 44 | 72 | 67 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 30 | ||
| Minto Cup | Burnaby Lakers | CLA | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 22 | ||
| 2005 | New Westminster Salmonbellies New Westminster Salmonbellies The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991... |
WLA Western Lacrosse Association The Western Lacrosse Association is an amateur league of men's Senior A box lacrosse sanctioned by the Canadian Lacrosse Association. It consists of seven teams, based in cities throughout southwestern British Columbia. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the... |
16 | 21 | 29 | 50 | 34 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 4 | ||
| 2006 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | WLA | 16 | 29 | 32 | 61 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 30 | ||
| 2007 | New Westminster Salmonbellies | WLA | 15 | 22 | 41 | 63 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | Six Nations Chiefs Six Nations Chiefs The Six Nations Chiefs are Senior "A" box lacrosse team from Six Nations, Ontario. The chiefs play in the Major Series Lacrosse Senior "A" League.-See also:* Six Nations Arrows - an affiliated Junior "A" box lacrosse team.-External links:* * * *... |
MSL Major Series Lacrosse Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the... |
14 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 2 | ||
| Junior A Totals | 72 | 113 | 128 | 241 | 366 | 61 | 101 | 120 | 221 | 247 | ||||
| Junior B Totals | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Minto Cup Totals | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 | 18 | 30 | 48 | 0 | ||||
| Senior A Totals | 61 | 80 | 115 | 195 | 132 | 22 | 28 | 37 | 65 | 36 | ||||