Kevin Connauton
Canadian defenceman who played for seven NHL organizations.
Kevin Connauton, a Canadian defenceman born February 23, 1990, in Edmonton, Alberta, is currently an unrestricted free agent. His most recent stint was with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL while under contract to the NHL’s Utah Mammoth. Selected 83rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009 NHL entry draft, Connauton has also suited up for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Growing up, Connauton’s family supported the Edmonton Oilers; his father, William, was a prominent attorney who represented Oilers owner Daryl Katz. Connauton began his junior career with the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL in 2007–08, where he posted 13 goals and 45 points in 56 games—tops among rookie defencemen and third overall among blueliners—earning a rookie of the year nomination and a unanimous spot on the AJHL North All-Rookie Team. Though the Vancouver Giants of the WHL placed him on their protected list in October 2008, Connauton initially chose college hockey, signing with the Western Michigan Broncos of the CCHA in April 2008. He originally planned to join for 2009–10 due to a crowded defence corps, but after Jesse Perrin left for the CHL in August 2008, Connauton was invited to play in 2008–09. He recorded seven goals and 18 points as a freshman, earning an honourable mention to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.
Ranked 202nd among North American prospects for the 2009 NHL draft, Connauton was the highest of three CCHA players selected. He had been eligible for the 2008 draft but went undrafted. Canucks director of collegiate scouting Stan Smyl praised his break-out pass, while associate head scout Thomas Gradin noted his skating. After the draft, Canucks management urged Connauton to move to major junior to accelerate his development, and he signed with the Vancouver Giants on July 29, 2009. He attended his first NHL training camp but was cut and assigned to junior on September 16. In the WHL, Connauton became a high-scoring defenceman, breaking Jonathon Blum’s franchise record for goals by a Giants blueliner on January 3, 2010, with his 19th of the season. He was named WHL Player of the Week after a four-goal, 10-point stretch from December 27 to January 3.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1990-02-23
- Birth Place
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 2
- Weight Lb
- 205
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Free agent
- Prospect League
- AHL
- Former Teams
- Dallas Stars / Columbus Blue Jackets / Arizona Coyotes / Colorado Avalanche / Florida Panthers / Philadelphia Flyers
- Draft
- 83rd overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Connauton began his junior career in the AJHL with the Spruce Grove Saints in 2007–08, recording 13 goals and 45 points over 56 games to earn a rookie of the year nomination and a unanimous selection to the AJHL North All-Rookie Team. He opted to play college hockey with the Western Michigan Broncos of the CCHA in 2008–09, recording a 7-goal, 18-point campaign as a freshman. After being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks, he joined the Vancouver Giants of the WHL for the 2009–10 season, where he set franchise records for most goals and points by a defenceman and was named a WHL West First Team All-Star.
Connauton turned professional in 2010, signing an entry-level contract with the Canucks and playing for their AHL affiliates. He was traded to the Dallas Stars in 2013 and made his NHL debut on October 24, 2013, against the Calgary Flames. After being claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014, he scored seven goals in his first 21 games and finished the season tied for 12th among NHL defensemen in ice time. He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes on January 13, 2016, and later signed a two-year contract with the team on June 27, 2018.
Reader's Guide
Kevin Connauton's career is notable for his journey through multiple NHL organizations, having been claimed off waivers multiple times and traded in several deals. His time with the Arizona Coyotes spanned from 2016 to 2019, during which he appeared in 50 games in the 2018–19 season, contributing 1 goal and 8 points in a bottom-six role from the blueline. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in June 2019, then signed with the Florida Panthers in 2021, and was later claimed on waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers in December 2021. After a season with the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Utah Mammoth in July 2024. Connauton's WHL records with the Vancouver Giants—most goals and points by a defenceman in a single season—highlight his offensive capabilities from the blueline during his junior career.
Did You Know?
- He won the hardest shot competition at the 2012 AHL All-Star Game with a slapshot at 99.4 miles per hour.
- His father, William Connauton, represented Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz as an attorney.
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