Ty Conklin

Lore & Background

Conklin grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and attended Shattuck-St. Mary's, a noted Minnesota hockey prep school. He played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL under Don Granato before spending three seasons at the University of New Hampshire under coach Dick Umile. A self-described 'late-bloomer' and 'shorter kid,' he went unclaimed in the NHL Entry Draft. After college, he signed with the Edmonton Oilers as an undrafted free agent. He set an AHL record for most saves in a game (83) during a quadruple-overtime Calder Cup Final game with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2003. During the 2005–06 season, Conklin was inconsistent and hampered by injury, leading the Oilers to waive him and acquire Dwayne Roloson. In Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Conklin entered after Roloson was injured and, with the game tied, turned the puck over behind his net, allowing Rod Brind'Amour to score the winning goal into an empty net. He did not play again in the series, as Jussi Markkanen started the remaining games. Conklin later said, 'Obviously I needed a change of scenery.'

Reader's Guide

Conklin's career is defined by two contrasting moments: a disastrous turnover in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals and a brilliant 2007–08 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After the Oilers declined his contract option, he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets but was waived and sent to the AHL. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in February 2007 for a fifth-round pick, making 42 saves in his first start for Buffalo. The following season, he signed a two-way contract with the Penguins and was initially assigned to the AHL. Called up after Fleury's injury, Conklin became a sensation, winning his first nine starts and posting a .923 save percentage, second in the NHL and a single-season Penguins record. He earned the nickname 'Conkblock' and was the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Though he did not play in the playoffs, he served as Fleury's backup. Conklin's legacy is that of an undrafted goaltender who, despite a high-profile mistake, demonstrated perseverance and delivered a standout season when given an unexpected opportunity.

Did You Know?

• Conklin set an AHL record with 83 saves in a quadruple-overtime Calder Cup Final game in 2003.
• He was the first player to wear #35 for the Penguins since franchise goaltender Tom Barrasso.
• Conklin's .923 save percentage in 2007–08 was a single-season Penguins franchise record.
• He was the team's candidate for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2007–08.