Kyle Connor named Ephesus/AHL Graduate of the Month

When Kyle Connor turned pro in 2016-17 he spent his first 20 games of that season in the NHL with the Jets before being sent down to the Moose.  As we see with many players who get a chance to grow their game from the college/jr ranks to the pro game they can really blossom in the American Hockey League.  Connor was no different.  After getting off to a slow start he eventually got up to speed (including 17 goals in his last 20 games) and ended that season with 25 goals in 52 games (as well as 19 assists) with the Moose.  He started 2017-18 with Manitoba but after four games got recalled to the Jets and hasn’t looked back.

From the AHL:

The American Hockey League announced today that Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets has been selected as the Ephesus/AHL Graduate of the Month for January.

Connor notched eight goals and 12 points in 11 games in January for the Jets, who continue to lead the National Hockey League’s Central Division.

Now in his second full season in the NHL, the 22-year-old Connor has emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic young stars. He has totaled 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points in 52 games with the Jets this season after leading all NHL rookies with 31 goals in 2017-18.

A first-round selection by Winnipeg in the 2015 NHL Draft, Connor spent most of his first professional season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose in 2016-17, collecting a team-high 25 goals along with 19 assists for 44 points in 52 games.

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