Kyle Connor
| Kyle Connor | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Connor during his time with the Jets on April 1, 2022 | |||
| Born |
December 9, 1996 Clinton, Michigan | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 177 lb (80 kg; 12 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team | Winnipeg Jets | ||
| National team |
 United States | ||
| NHL draft |
17th overall, 2015 Winnipeg Jets | ||
| Playing career | 2016–present | ||
Kyle David Connor (born December 9, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey left winger. He currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Connor is a two-time All Star, being named one in 2022 and 2024. He was also the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2022. Internationally, Connor plays for the United States, winning a gold medal with them in 2026.
Career
[change | change source]Before playing in the NHL, Connor played three seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and one year with the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference (B1G). He had a successful time with his teams. With the Phantoms, he was named USHL Player of the Year, named to back-to-back USHL First All-Star Teams, and won the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award.[1][2][3] With the Wolverines, he finished his freshman season, scoring 35 goals and recording 36 assists for 71 points in 38 games. He was awarded the National Rookie of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Scoring Champion, and Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He was also named a AHCA West First-Team All-American and was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, and Big Ten All-Tournament Team.[4][5][6]
He was drafted 17th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL entry draft.[7] On April 11, 2016, Connor signed a two-year, $1.77 million entry-level contract to join the Jets.[8]
On October 13, 2016, Connor made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes. During the game, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Patrik Laine goal.[9] On October 28, Connor scored his first NHL goal against Antti Niemi in a 4–1 win against the Dallas Stars.[10] On March 23, 2019, Connor recorded his first NHL hat-trick in a 5–0 win against the Nashville Predators.[11] On September 28, Connor signed an seven-year, $50 million contract to stay with the Jets.[12]
On January 13, 2022, Connor was selected to play in his first NHL All-Star game.[13] On June 22, 2024, Connor was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.[14] On January 22, 2024, Connor was selected to play in his second NHL All-Star game.[15] On October 8, 2025, Connor signed an eight-year, $96 million contract to stay with the Jets.[16]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "'15 Draft prospect Connor wins USHL Player of the Year". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Kyle Connor makes leap to the NHL, signs with Winnipeg Jets". CBC Sports. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Connor Receives USA Hockey's Top Junior Honor". Youngstown Phantoms. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Michigan's Connor Gets Tim Taylor Award As Nation's Top Rookie". USCHO.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Connor, Berenson Head List of All-Big Ten Award Winners". Michigan Wolverines. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "2016 All-Tournament Team" (PDF). Michigan Wolverines. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Winnipeg Jets select Connor 17th overall at NHL Draft". Global News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Jets sign Kyle Connor". Winnipeg Jets. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Fantastic first impression". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Laine scores twice, Connor gets his first as Jets drop Stars". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Jets' Kyle Connor scores first career hat trick against Predators". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Connor agrees to seven-year, near $50 million contract with Jets". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Connor makes 2022 NHL All-Star Game after work ethic pays off with Jets". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Jets forward Kyle Connor wins Lady Byng Trophy". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Trocheck, Connor added to NHL All-Star Weekend roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Release: Jets sign Connor to an eight-year contract extension". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
