Cory Conacher
Undrafted centre who played for four NHL teams.
Cory Conacher, a Canadian centre, played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Islanders despite never being drafted. He was born on December 14, 1989, and is now a former professional player.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 14 December 1989
- Birthplace
- Burlington, Ontario, Canada
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Left
- Played for
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Ottawa Senators
- Buffalo Sabres
- New York Islanders
- Lausanne HC
- SC Bern
- HC Ambrì-Piotta
- Draft
- Undrafted
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Conacher grew up in Burlington, Ontario, and played mostly AAA and AA hockey in the OMHA's Tri-County League before moving up to Major Midget for the 2005-06 season. He spent one year with the Eagles at the Midget level, then joined the OJHL's Burlington Cougars Jr. A club as a 17-year-old in 2006-07. Before going pro, he played college hockey at Canisius College, where he set the school's all-time records for points (147), goals (62), and game-winning goals (12) over 129 games. Despite becoming the program's most decorated player and setting 12 records, he went undrafted, mostly because of his small stature. He earned a degree in Finance. After his senior year in 2010-11, he signed amateur try-out deals with the Rochester Americans, Cincinnati Cyclones, and Milwaukee Admirals. On July 6, 2011, he inked a one-year contract with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. In the 2011-12 season, after attending Tampa Bay Lightning training camp, he led all AHL rookies in scoring and was picked for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic. While leading the Admirals in goals and points, he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Lightning on March 1, 2012. He helped Norfolk win the Calder Cup and earned the Les Cunningham Award as league MVP, becoming only the fourth rookie to win it since 1948. He also took home the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and Second AHL All-Star Team. With the NHL lockout, he began the 2012-13 season with Tampa's new AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. After the lockout ended, he was called up by the Lightning and scored his first NHL goal in his first game on January 19, 2013, against Washington's Braden Holtby in a 6-3 win. He finished second among NHL rookies in scoring with 24 points in 35 games before being traded on April 3, 2013, along with a 2013 fourth-round pick, to the Ottawa Senators for goalie Ben Bishop.
Personal
Cory Conacher came into the world with bladder exstrophy, a rare birth defect that left his bladder outside his body. Surgeons performed a ten-hour operation when he was just ten days old, rebuilding his pelvis to move the bladder back inside. At that point, his parents were told he might never walk normally. At age eight, he was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and when he’s not on the ice, he typically wears an insulin pump to manage his blood sugar. He is a distant cousin of Hockey Hall of Famers Charlie, Roy, and Lionel Conacher, but contrary to some rumors, he is not related to former NHL forward Pat Conacher. His younger brother, Shane, played for the Adirondack Thunder and, in the 2023–24 season, suited up for the Dundas Real McCoys. Both brothers played college hockey at Canisius College, though their time there did not overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Cory Conacher born?
Cory Conacher was born on 14 December 1989 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Which teams did Cory Conacher play for?
Cory Conacher played for Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Lausanne HC, SC Bern and HC Ambrì-Piotta.
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