Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

‘15 Draft prospect Connor wins USHL Player of the Year

USA Blue v USA White - 2014 USA Hockey Junior Evaluation Camp

USA Blue v USA White - 2014 USA Hockey Junior Evaluation Camp

Getty Images

Youngstown Phantoms forward Kyle Connor -- No. 13 on Central Scouting’s 2015 NHL Draft rankings -- took home some serious hardware on Wednesday, winning the USHL’s Player and Forward of the Year trophies.

“It was a special year for Kyle and he took tremendous strides as a 200-foot player while also being the most productive offensive player in the League,” Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen said. “He will certainly be missed in Youngstown because of the way he played on the ice and how he carried himself.”

Connor, 18, racked up 80 points in 56 games with Youngstown en route to winning the award. At 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, he’s expected to go in the first round of this year’s entry draft and has tantalized scouts with his speed and skating ability.

“He’s a solid two-way player and plays hard in both zones,” Central Scouting’s Greg Rajanen said, per NHL.com. “Nice stride and quickness and good in tight with the puck. Saw him against the [United States National Team Development Program] U-18 team and elevated his game against them and wants the puck.

“And when he gets it he makes things happen.”

Connor has committed to the University of Michigan for next season.