The transition to the NCAA was not seamless, but Connor is adjusting. The key for him will always be offensive production. This was Connor’s D+2 season as he was picked in his second year of eligibility. There has to be a jump in responsibilities, overall skill, and production next season for Connor to remain remotely relevant as an undersized wing.

Drafted 195th in 2024 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Overlooked his first draft-eligible year, Connor heard his name called by the Lightning this time. He is a fast, straight-line skater with a relentless motor. He hustles to every puck and every play and is not afraid to crash the net and use his body, even standing at 5-10. A sniper foremost, Connor likes to shoot the puck at the net from anywhere, anytime. He is good at taking any space the defense gives him; the issue is that he can’t create his own space. His skating is limited to north-south movements, his puck handling is subpar, and he lacks advanced playmaking tools, so he is only capable of executing easier plays. At his size, it is very rare to succeed in the NHL with a north-south playstyle. If Connor tries to make it to the NHL, he’ll have to add more deception, an ability to create space, better playmaking, and an east-west element to his game. It will be quite the uphill battle for Connor.