Connor confident in his own ability

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This article was published 06/09/2016 (3288 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kyle Connor is back in Winnipeg to stay — this time without the spotlight and fanfare that came with his decision to turn pro five months ago.

The question remains whether the hugely talented but unproven forward cracks the Winnipeg Jets roster or begins his pro career with the Manitoba Moose.

Connor left the University of Michigan to sign with Winnipeg in the spring, inking a three-year entry-level contract after a remarkable freshman year with the Wolverines in which he led the NCAA with 71 points in 38 games. Three months later, he joined the Jets prospects at the club’s development camp in July at the MTS Iceplex and easily distinguished himself.

There he was again at the Iceplex Tuesday, scrimmaging with a dozen Jets and a mixed bag of other pros with ties to the city as they get set for NHL training camps later this month. The pace was swift, and the 19-year-old native of Shelby Township, Mich., didn’t look out of place, darting in and out of traffic on a line, at times, with veteran centre Bryan Little.

The 17th-overall pick at the 2015 NHL Draft said to crack the Jets’ lineup, he’ll have to keep pulling out his most effective tool.

“For me, it’s about always bringing my speed,” said Connor, who’s beefed up some over the summer but still looks slight at 6-1 and pushing the 180-pound mark. “If I have that going, I think my skill will take over once I have the puck.”

He proved that last season, finishing with 35 goals for Michigan, and was one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, handed out to the top U.S. college player.

How that success translates to the pro game remains to be seen. It’s also unclear what kind of opportunity he’ll be given to make the club as a top-nine forward, because he won’t make any headway in his development as a fourth-line guy.

Mark Scheifele, new captain Blake Wheeler and Nikolaj Ehlers comprise a tantalizing top unit. Little could be joined by veteran Drew Stafford and much-heralded Finnish rookie Patrik Laine on a second line, while Shawn Matthias — signed during the off-season — and Mathieu Perreault likely have their roles firmly established.

That leaves Connor in competition with incumbents Joel Armia, Alexander Burmistrov, Nic Petan and Marko Dano for third-line duty, while those battling for jobs on the fourth line likely include Jets regulars Adam Lowry, Chris Thorburn, Anthony Peluso and Andrew Copp, along with Quinton Howden — signed this summer as a free agent — Brandon Tanev, JC Lipon and Brendan Lemieux.

Connor said he’s not stressing about it.

“I feel pretty comfortable. All I can do is just go out there and play my game,” he said.

Connor played for Team USA at the world championship but didn’t see much playing time because of injuries. He took a few weeks off after development camp to recharge his batteries.

“A lot went on last year. I took some time to forget about the game,” he said. “I’m feeling good. I had a good off-season after a great season last year, and I’m just coming in here and hoping to build off that.

“It’s great to be part of something that, you can tell, is on the rise.”

Connor will join other Jets prospects at the YoungStars Classic, Sept. 16-19 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, B.C. The four-team, round-robin tournament will feature prospects from the Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.

Winnipeg’s main camp begins Sept. 20.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter@WFPJasonBell