HW Staff Mock Draft Pick 14: Kyle Connor

Bruin in the Prospect Pool

About Kyle Connor

Kyle Connor is a 6'1", 185 lb center coming to us from the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. In 56 games for the Phantoms this he pocketed 34 goals and 46 assists for 80 points. He's an explosive skater with great hands who not only shoots the puck (256 SOG), but he can distribute the puck as well, using his great vision on the ice with an ability to see the plays develop in advance.

The Michigan native has the speed to keep defensemen on their heels and the puck control and sick hockey moves to cause goalies fits. With his speed it makes him a serious threat on the backcheck, picking off pucks and turning the pressure back up the ice. His wrist shot is quick, and you don't always see it coming or know that the puck has left his stick till you hear the horn blasting in your ears.

The knock on Connor is really just his size. He's not short by any means, but at 185 lbs he needs to add some muscle to compete regularly with the big boys of the NHL. He's been known to get a little too fancy at times as well, and can force pucks into bad spots for his teammates. If he continues to develop his game however, play a few years in college so he can bulk up, his upside could place him in the top tier of the 2015 draft class.

This guy definitely has my attention. Future Considerations has him ranked at #12 overall, so I'm not sure he'd slide another 8 spots without a lot of help from those teams in front of the Wild. If, by some miracle he's still anxiously waiting at 20, you have to grab him. The Wild may have other needs that they could address, but the potential this kid has makes him almost impossible to ignore.