When the NHL Lockout ended in January, it was supposed to be a given that Syracuse Crunch forward Brett Connolly would be in the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup. After all, he did skated in 68 games for the NHL club last season. The 20-year old native of Prince George, British Columbia was poised for a breakout season with the Bolts, but the Lightning brass decided otherwise.
While players like Cory Conacher and Richard Panik, among others, received tickets to the Sunshine State, Connolly was still in Syracuse skating for the Crunch. Though Connolly wasn’t invited to the Lightning training camp, it was in the organization’s best interest and for Connolly’s development that he stay in the AHL for the time being. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)
It wasn’t that long ago that Connolly was the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. If he hadn’t had the lingering hip problems that sidelined him for all but 16 games in his draft year, where he collected ten goals and nine assists for his hometown Prince George Cougars of the WHL, he could have been in the same discussion as the first two picks, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin.
Outside of the medical issues, he was among the top offensive players in not only the WHL, but in all the Canadian Junior Hockey circuit. Here’s a stat to show what was a sign of things to come in the junior ranks: In his first full season of 2008-09 with the Cougars, Connolly became the first 16 year old in the league since Patrick Marleau to score 30 goals, winning the CHL Rookie of the Year in the process.
A few short weeks after he was drafted, Connolly impressed the Lightning as he displayed his talents at the 2010 Lightning summer prospect camp. After a brief stint at the team’s training camp, Connolly returned to the Cougars and reclaimed his spot as one of the top players in the league. All Connolly did was finish third in goals with 47 and added 26 assists in 59 games. Connolly made the Lightning lineup out of training camp to start the 2011-12 season and like most 19 year old skaters playing in the NHL straight from the junior ranks, he had some adjusting to do.
With four goals and four assists in 28 games with the Lightning, Connolly was loaned to Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship, where he finished the tournament with five goals and one assist in six games, emerging as one of the leaders on the team. After the tournament, Connolly was sent back to TampaBay where he notched seven assists in 28 games. He ended his rookie year with four goals and 11 assists with a plus/minus rating of -9.
Connolly’s first year in the NHL wasn’t without inconsistencies. He was a liability in his own end of the ice and if he wanted to realize his NHL potential, he needed to put on some muscle and be more assertive on the ice.
As he continues to skate in the AHL, Connolly has re-emerged as a future star in the Lightning organization. A full season and 20 lbs. later, Connolly has regained his scoring touch by netting 27 goals and adding 30 assists in 67 games with the Syracuse Crunch. Also, his defensive game has improved with a plus/minus rating of +15, his best since his pre-junior days. Connolly has definitely improved his all-around game. He has become more consistent with and without the puck, which has led him to being on the ice in all situations.
Connolly’s season with the Crunch has certainly rejuvenated him. He understands that his time in the AHL has helped him become a better player. If he remains on pace in his development in Syracuse, he could get get a flight back to Tampa Bay in the not-too distant future.
Make that a one-way ticket.
Follow me on Twitter @AlexMuscat73 and please “like” LightningShout on Facebook. You can email us at [email protected].
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
