Career Timeline of Kyle Connor: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kyle Connor made an impact.

Kyle Connor is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL. He was drafted 17th overall by the Jets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Connor is a prominent player for the Jets and has established himself as a key offensive contributor.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2012: Under-17 Five Nations Tournament

In 2012, Kyle Connor represented the United States at the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, where he scored four goals and added two assists to help Team USA clinch a gold medal.

2013: Joined Youngstown Phantoms

In 2012, Kyle Connor joined the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. During the 2013–14 season, Connor recorded 31 goals and 43 assists, in 56 games, setting a Phantoms franchise record for most points in a season with 74 points.

2013: Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and World Junior A Challenge

In 2013, Kyle Connor represented Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, earning a silver medal. He also played in the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, recording two goals and three assists in four games, including the game-winning goal in the championship game against Russia to clinch a gold medal.

2014: IIHF World U18 Championship and World Junior A Challenge

In 2014, Kyle Connor played in his first IIHF World U18 Championship with Team USA, helping them clinch a gold medal. Following this, he represented Team USA at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, where he recorded one goal and one assist in four games to win a gold medal.

2015: Drafted by Winnipeg Jets

In 2015, Kyle Connor was drafted 17th overall by the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

2015: 2015 NHL draft

In the final game of February 2019, Connor became the fourth player from the 2015 NHL draft to reach the score 100 goals in the NHL.

April 11, 2016: Signed with Winnipeg Jets

On April 11, 2016, Kyle Connor left the University of Michigan and signed a three-year, two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets worth an average annual value of $1.775 million.

October 27, 2016: Scored First NHL Goal

On October 27, 2016, Kyle Connor recorded his first career NHL goal in a 4–1 win over the Dallas Stars.

2016: IIHF World Championship

In 2016, while attending the University of Michigan, Kyle Connor was chosen to represent the United States men's national ice hockey team for the first time at the IIHF World Championship alongside UMich line-mates J. T. Compher and Tyler Motte.

2017: Assigned to Manitoba Moose

Before the Winnipeg Jets finalized their 2017–18 roster, Connor was assigned to the Manitoba Moose to begin the season. Kyle Connor tallied three goals and two assists over four games with the Moose before being recalled to the NHL on October 16 after Perreault suffered an injury.

2019: First Career NHL Hat Trick

On March 23, 2019, Kyle Connor scored his first career NHL hat-trick and added an assist in a 5–0 win over the Nashville Predators. He helped the Jets clinch a spot in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and became the fifth player in franchise history to record multiple 30-goal seasons and the second player to do so in his first two full seasons. As a result, Connor was recognized as the NHL's First Star of the Week for the week ending on March 24, 2019.

December 31, 2019: Second Career NHL Hat Trick

On December 31, 2019, Kyle Connor recorded his second career NHL hat trick in a 7–4 win against the Colorado Avalanche, giving him six goals over his past four games and 20 goals on the season.

2020: 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs

In March 2020, the NHL paused play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle Connor had already set new career highs in goals, assists, and points. He finished the shortened regular season with 38 goals and 35 assists to tie Scheifele for the team's scoring lead with 73 points. A few months later, Connor and the Jets returned to play in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs within the NHL's 'bubble' in Edmonton.

November 22, 2024: Gordie Howe Hat Trick

On November 22, 2024, Kyle Connor achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in a 4–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He assisted on a Gabriel Vilardi goal in the second period and fought Sidney Crosby and scored an empty netter in the third.