LAS VEGAS (AP) — It meant little to Trevor Connelly what spot he was chosen within the NHL draft — first spherical or past — as a result of regrettable resolution he made previously.
What finally mattered to the 18-year-old is the work he put in by volunteer work and variety coaching to place him on a path ahead in hockey after being chosen nineteenth general by the draft host Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night time.
“I feel I may go larger, if possibly a number of the stuff didn’t occurred. However, truthfully, it’s the happiest that I may’ve been the place I acquired chosen,” stated Connelly, who’s draft inventory dropped within the two years since he posted a picture Snapchat — earlier than unexpectedly eradicating it — displaying a good friend posing in entrance of a set of constructing blocks fashioned within the form of a swastika.
He was additionally accused of constructing a racial slur throughout a sport in 2021, although a suspension was lifted when an investigation was unable to corroborate what occurred. Connelly has apologized for posting the image, and disputed making the racial slur.
“I’ve made errors as a child and I’m such a unique individual now,” stated Connelly, who’s from Tustin, California, and dedicated to attending Windfall this yr. “I feel what I’ve been put by these previous couple of years are for a motive. I feel that it’s all going to work out for one of the best for me and I’ll do something for the group, something for the individuals and I’m tremendous excited to get began.”
GM Kelly McCrimmon stated Vegas officers carried out what he known as a “very in depth” background verify on the participant, whereas additionally assembly with Connelly on the scouting mix in Buffalo, New York, after which once more this week.
“I feel (he confirmed) some development and a few recognition of some areas the place he had made errors and acknowledged that,” McCrimmon stated. “He was very candid, clear, didn’t duck any of the questions that we requested of him.”
Not in query are the 6-foot, 156-pound ahead’s skills.
Connelly is coming off a season with the Tri-Metropolis Storm wherein he completed second within the USHL with 78 factors (31 targets, 47 assists) in 52 video games. He has additionally represented the U.S., most lately profitable a silver medal on the 2024 Underneath-18 world championships.
Cap Unfriendly
Washington Capitals basic supervisor Brian MacLellan makes use of CapFriendly on a regular basis to search for wage info and different knowledge across the NHL. Quickly, he and members of the group would be the solely ones with entry after the Capitals purchased the web site this month.
Suffice it to say, his colleagues will not be thrilled at having that instrument taken away from them.
“I don’t suppose anyone’s blissful,” MacLellan stated on a video name with reporters Thursday. “The entire trade will not be very blissful about it.”
CapFriendly remains to be accessible by the draft and begin of free company subsequent week earlier than the general public aspect of it goes darkish someday in July.
“Our greatest worry was it was going to go away and we weren’t going to have the ability to use it,” stated MacLellan, who added the entrance workplace appeared into making its personal website earlier than realizing it was too costly and time-consuming. “We will construct off it. We’ve got the people who created it, so we will construct and we will hopefully turn into extra environment friendly as a company on wage cap choices, CBA choices after which apply it to our analytics aspect, too: create a format that works for us that manner.”
Firsts from Norway
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Detroit’s alternative at No. 15, made historical past as the primary participant from Norway drafted within the first spherical. Brandsegg-Nygard performed within the Swedish Hockey League final season, and his heard his title known as on the draft by a Corridor of Famer from that Scandanavian nation, Nicklas Lidstrom.
Stian Stolberg turned the second participant from Norway taken within the first spherical not lengthy after, when Anaheim traded as much as choose him at No. 23. Goaltending coach Sudarshan “Sudsy” Maharaj, who lately beat most cancers, introduced the Geese’ choice.
Crosby extension?
Sidney Crosby is slightly over a yr from doubtlessly turning into a free agent. However the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins captain and his camp have mentioned an extension with basic supervisor Kyle Dubas, which couldn’t really be signed till Monday, anyway.
“We’re speaking,” Crosby stated Friday on a video name with reporters to debate the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. “There’s been slightly however of discuss, I feel with the draft and free company and stuff like that. It’s one thing that I’ll preserve between Kyle and I, however we’ve had some conversations and I’ll simply sort of depart it at that. … We’ll see what occurs.”
The Penguins, with Dubas in cost, stay in win-now mode. Middle Evgeni Malkin is signed by 2026 and defenseman Kris Letang by 28.
Crosby turns 37 earlier than subsequent season.
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AP Hockey Author Stephen Whyno and AP freelance author W.G. Ramirez contributed to this report.
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