Connor sent down, aims to get back up

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This article was published 09/12/2016 (3334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This is likely not how Kyle Connor envisioned his first pro season going. No doubt the rookie forward hoped to be taking the National Hockey League by storm, much the same way teammate Patrik Laine has so far.

Yet there was Connor Friday night at the MTS Centre, skating not for the Winnipeg Jets, but rather the Manitoba Moose. Connor was demoted by the Jets earlier in the day — on his 20th birthday, no less — and made his American Hockey League debut just hours later.

The writing had been on the wall for some time. Connor had seen his ice time with the Jets reduced to just a few minutes per game, then disappear entirely with five straight healthy scratches.

He’ll see plenty of action with the Moose. Connor began Friday’s game on the top unit with Quinton Howden and fellow rookie Jack Roslovic and looked dangerous all game. Connor didn’t need long to hit the scoreboard, setting up Roslovic for a tap-in goal midway through the third period.

Connor ended his night with the assist, one shot on goal and a plus-1 rating while playing well over 15 minutes and being chosen as the game’s third star in a 5-1 loss to Cleveland.

“It felt good, trying to get back into game shape. It’s a little tough going there and not playing for a while,” Connor said following the game. “I think anyone will tell you it’s tough when you get sent down. But you’ve got to look at it as an opportunity to work on your game and make the most of it so you can get back up with the big club.”

Connor set the bar rather high for himself — and Jets fans — when he scored three pre-season goals. He’s struggled to find that kind of success once the games started counting, with just one goal and three assists over 19 NHL games while posting a team-worst minus-8 rating.

Connor has been told this is by no means punishment, but rather a chance to regain some confidence while playing a bigger role with less pressure. Many NHL stars have benefited from some AHL seasoning early in their career, and the Jets no doubt hope Connor will follow suit.

“I wasn’t playing a lot. I think it’s beneficial for me to play and work on my game, being a young player. That’s kind of the message they relayed to me,” said Connor.

Connor also doesn’t have to look far to see another promising young player who has made the most of his time with the Moose. Connor was selected 17th overall in the 2015 draft, and his new linemate Roslovic was taken just eight picks later by the Jets. Roslovic, 19, began the season with the Moose and is leading the team in scoring with eight goals and 10 assists in his first 22 games.

“I know Jack pretty well and played with him a little bit in the pre-season rookie tournament. It’s nice to see a familiar face around the rink,” said Connor.

Connor turned pro after leading the NCAA in scoring last season as a freshman with Michigan. He was runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award given to the top college player in the nation. It’s clear failure has never been an option during his hockey career.

Moose head coach Pascal Vincent said Connor can’t expect to find it easy now he’s moved down a level.

“It’s good for his development. He’s got to play. He’s got to be put in different situation, he’s got to have the puck, he’s got to move his feet. That’s why we’re here, that’s why we exist to help our prospects get some ice time,” Vincent said after Friday’s game. “He’s a good player, he’s got great speed, and we’re going to help him grow.”

Connor said he noticed some major differences following his first game.

“Obviously it’s a different style of game than the NHL. But it’s still a competitive league. There’s good young players, there’s veterans and there’s people working for jobs. It’s got everything,” he said.

Of course, Connor is hoping to see as little of the AHL as possible.

“What I can control is how I play, how hard I work. That’s kind of my mindset, try and improve as much as I can and try to force them,” he said.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca