Joe Connor’s top hockey memory is helping Avon Old Farms defeat Cushing Academy, 3-1, in March for the New England Prep School Athletic Council Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 championship, the program’s first title since 2010.
The Amherst, NH, native is hoping to make many more hockey memories this season with the United States Hockey League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. Through his first 16 games this season, he recorded nine goals and 19 points.
Connor got a taste of the league after prep hockey ended last year, recording one goal and five assists in 12 games. Connor said the experience made the transition into this season much easier.
“I thought it was great,” Connor said. “I got used to being out here and away from home. It’s a huge jump. All the players work so hard, so getting used to the speed of the USHL was huge.”
That experience last year has allowed him to thrive this year.
“I think it’s benefitted him for sure,” Muskegon coach Parker Burgess said. “Our scouts and management were really high on him. We knew we were getting a good hockey player and had high expectations for him going into the season. He was one of our best forwards right through camp and is probably ahead of even where we expected him to be. He’s gotten off to a great start for us.
“We’re fortunate and excited that he is part of our group. I think it goes back to getting the experience last year. There is less of a feeling-out process when you come into your first full year when you know what to expect on and off the ice. He’s been able to use that experience right from the beginning.”
Getting used to the speed of the league is one aspect Connor is adjusting to. It also made him manage the puck better and work harder because “everyone in the league is so good.” He said his goal scoring must improve.
“It’s hard to score in this league,” Connor said. “You only get three to four chances a game, and if you only score on one of those chances, it’s not that great. If you score on two of the chances, it’s much better than scoring on one of them.”
Connor also has adjusted nicely to living with his billet family, including Jay Vandevoorde, who he said “makes the best food.” Defenseman Owen Keefe (Saugus, Mass.) also is living with them.
Connor has been nursing a knee injury that might keep him off the ice for two to three weeks. When healthy, he’s been playing on a line with team captain Cody Croal and Matvei Gridin. Gridin, who ranked second in the league in points (20) as of Nov. 7, recently committed to playing college hockey at Michigan.
“It’s awesome playing with those two,” Connor said. “Cody being a captain leading and teaching me has been great, and (Gridin) and I have been getting along well.”
“Every game they are getting scoring chances and points on the board,” Burgess said.
Burgess called Connor a complete player on the ice who can help in any situation, whether it’s killing penalties, contributing on the power play or playing 5-on-5.
“Joe has an extremely high motor and is very competitive on pucks,” Burgess said. “He plays with fire and passion, and has one of the best sticks that I have seen. He creates a lot of puck disruptions and turnovers for himself and linemates and uses those turnovers to create offense. He’s a dynamic hockey player. He’s also an awesome teammate who comes to the rink every day and works hard, is highly competitive and driven, and is very well-liked by his teammates and has tremendous leadership qualities. I can’t emphasize enough how fortunate and excited we are to have him as a Lumberjack.”
Connor, who will play in college next year at Northeastern, wants to eventually play pro hockey. Last year, NHL Central Scouting rated him as the No. 74 North American skater available for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and he was not selected. Connor said not getting drafted gave him extra motivation for the season.
“It stunk not getting drafted,” Connor said. “It gives me so much motivation for me to do the best I can for this season and hopefully get drafted this year (2024).”
“I think it’s a miss,” Burgess said. “I think teams might have some trepidation because of his size (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), but I see a lot of bright points in his game. If he continues to have the success that he's having with us this year, I’m confident he’ll get selected in this year’s upcoming draft.”
For now, Connor’s main focus is helping the Lumberjacks lift the Clark Cup trophy. As of Dec. 21, the Lumberjacks are 15-9-1-1.
“We are off to a hot start, and I want to keep it that way,” Connor said. “I want to go as far as I can with this team. I think we have a really good chance to win a championship. We are deep with so many good forwards, so I think it’s going to be hard to stop us.”
