History of Kyle Connor in Timeline

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

December 9, 1996: Kyle Connor's Birth

On December 9, 1996, Kyle David Connor was born. He is now a professional ice hockey player.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Participated in Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament

In 2009, Kyle Connor played minor ice hockey for Detroit Belle Tire and participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with them.

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: Named to USHL First All-Star Team

During the 2014–15 season, Kyle Connor led the league in scoring, recording 34 goals and 46 assists, in 56 regular season games. He broke the Phantoms' franchise record for points in a season, with 80 points. He led the USHL with nine game-winning goals. Following an outstanding season, in 2014, he was named to the 2014–15 USHL First All-Star Team and was also named the USHL Forward of the Year and Player of the Year.

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.

October 20, 2015: Named Big Ten First Star of the Week

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending October 20, 2015, due to his performance.

December 15, 2015: Named Big Ten First Star of the Week for a Second Time

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending December 15, 2015. He recorded five goals and one assist in a split weekend series against Minnesota.

December 2015: Named HCA National Rookie of the Month

In December 2015, Kyle Connor was named the Hockey Commissioners' Association (HCA) National Rookie of the Month. He led the nation with seven goals and 13 points in six games during the month of December, averaging 2.17 points per game in that span.

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.

January 12, 2016: Named Big Ten Second Star of the Week

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week for the week ending January 12, 2016. During that time he recorded three goals and three assists, including a career-best five points on January 8, against Michigan State.

February 2, 2016: Named Big Ten Second Star of the Week for the Second Time

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week for the week ending February 2, 2016. During that time he recorded two goals and four assists in two games against Penn State. On January 28, Connor matched a career-high with five points, including the game-winning goal.

February 23, 2016: Named Big Ten First Star of the Week

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending February 23, 2016. He joined Tyler Motte as the only player in the Big Ten to earn First Star of the Week honors three times this season.

March 1, 2016: Named Big Ten Second Star of the Week

Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week for the week ending March 1, 2016. Connor is in the midst of a 23-game point streak, the longest by a Michigan player since Mike Knuble had points in 21 straight games during the 1994–95 season.

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: Named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year

In 2016, Kyle Connor was named the Big Ten Conference ice hockey Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. He was also named to both the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team. He was also Big Ten Scoring Champion, recording 30 goals, and 31 assists in 34 games.

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.

2017: Received Manitoba Moose Awards

In 2017, Kyle Connor received the Moose's Most Valuable Player award, Rookie of the Year award, and the Three Stars Award.

2018: Finished Rookie Season as Leading Rookie Goal Scorer

Kyle Connor finished the 2017-2018 season as the NHL's leading rookie goal scorer with 31 goals. He also added 26 assists for 57 points through 76 games. However, he was ultimately left off the ballot for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

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.

September 2023: Engagement to Ally Petack

In September 2023, Kyle Connor became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Ally Petack.

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.