Conner Bleackley

Conner Bleackley (born February 7, 1996) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He most recently played under contract with the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL. Bleackley was originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2014 NHL entry draft, but was not signed to an entry-level contract, forcing him to re-enter the 2016 NHL entry draft, whereupon he was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 144th overall.

Playing career Bleackley was selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft from AAA Bantam club the Okotoks Oilers. After playing a further half season of midget hockey with the UFA Bisons of Strathmore in the Alberta Midget Hockey League he made his WHL debut in the 2011–12 season.

In only his second full season with the Red Deer Rebels he was named team captain as a 17-year-old for the 2013–14 season. Bleackley whilst showing positional versatility broke out offensively with the Rebels, producing a career high 29 goals and 68 points in 71 games. His outstanding play was further rewarded when he was chosen to skate in the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Bleackley draft stock rose and he finished the season rated as a top prospect who was viewed as a possible first round selection heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft before he was selected by the Colorado Avalanche. In Bleackley's first NHL training camp, the Avalanche were critical of his conditioning and promptly returned him to the WHL without an entry-level contract. In the 2014–15 season, Bleackley continued his scoring pace from previous seasons with 27 goals and 49 points in 51 games. On February 6, Bleackley suffered a strained groin, effectively ruling him out until the post-season in which Red Deer suffered a first-round exit. With an improved physical performance, Bleackley was later returned for his final season of junior after competing in a pre-season game with the Avalanche. Prior to the commencement of the WHL season, Bleackley was relinquished of the captaincy by the Rebels, with coach Brent Sutter explaining the intent to focus on reaching his potential. With a guaranteed berth at the 2016 Memorial Cup, Bleackley struggled in the early stages of the year offensively. Bleackley picked up his offensive production and scored 41 points in 47 games before suffering a broken kneecap against the Everett Silvertips on January 23, 2016.

With the Avalanche intending not to offer Bleackley a contract, at the trade deadline on February 29, 2016, his rights were included in a trade alongside Alex Tanguay and fellow prospect Kyle Wood to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Mikkel Boedker. Citing his injury history, the Coyotes also declined to offer Bleackley a contract and instead chose to receive a compensatory second-round draft pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft; Bleackley was required to re-enter the same draft.

After his re-selection in the 2016 NHL entry draft by the St. Louis Blues, on July 2, 2016, Bleackley was finally signed to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Bleackley played with the Kansas City Mavericks in the 2016-2017 season. The following year in the 2017-2018 season, he played for the Tulsa Oilers.

At the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Bleackley was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Blues, releasing him to become a free agent on June 25, 2019. Unable to attract NHL interest, Bleackley was signed to a one-year ECHL contract with the Idaho Steelheads on September 3, 2019. He was invited to attend the Steelheads AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars training camp prior to the 2019–20 season. On October 5, 2019 after a successful camp he was signed to a professional try-out contract with Texas to remain on the roster. Bleackley opened the season with the Stars, scoring 2 goals in a 5-3 defeat to the Manitoba Moose on October 5, 2019. Showing initial success with the Stars, Bleackley remained with the club through 10 games, registering 5 points, before he was returned to the Idaho Steelheads. Bleackley compiled 13 points through 18 games with the Steelheads before he was dealt in a three-way trade to the Maine Mariners on January 14, 2020. Bleackley played well with Maine over the last 15 games of the 2019–20 season, recording 5 goals and 5 assists.

On January 2, 2021, Bleackley continued his career in the ECHL, signing a contract to play with the Allen Americans. In the 2020–21 season, Bleackley struggled to contribute offensively, posting 4 goals and 9 points through 32 regular season games. On April 13, 2021, he was traded by the Americans to the Indy Fuel to complete an earlier transaction. He did not report and feature with the Fuel.

As a free agent in the following summer, Bleackley opted to continue in the ECHL, returning to former club the Maine Mariners on September 29, 2021. In 2023, Bleackley joined the Rapid City Rush.

International play As a 17-year-old he was chosen to compete with the team representing Canada Pacific at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, and as an 18-year-old he helped Team Canada capture the bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2011–12 UFA Bisons AMHL 26 13 17 30 41 2 0 0 0 0 2011–12 Red Deer Rebels WHL 16 2 0 2 6 — — — — — 2012–13 Red Deer Rebels WHL 66 9 9 18 28 9 2 1 3 0 2013–14 Red Deer Rebels WHL 71 29 39 68 48 1 0 1 1 0 2014–15 Red Deer Rebels WHL 51 27 22 49 49 5 1 1 2 4 2015–16 Red Deer Rebels WHL 55 13 33 46 49 — — — — — 2016–17 Chicago Wolves AHL 45 2 8 10 8 2 0 0 0 5 2016–17 Missouri Mavericks ECHL 14 7 10 17 14 — — — — — 2017–18 Tulsa Oilers ECHL 40 19 19 38 82 — — — — — 2017–18 Chicago Wolves AHL 7 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2017–18 San Antonio Rampage AHL 13 1 0 1 7 — — — — — 2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 57 5 11 16 35 — — — — — 2019–20 Texas Stars AHL 10 3 2 5 6 — — — — — 2019–20 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 18 4 9 13 4 — — — — — 2019–20 Maine Mariners ECHL 15 5 5 10 14 — — — — — 2019–20 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2020–21 Allen Americans ECHL 32 4 5 9 17 — — — — — 2021–22 Maine Mariners ECHL 66 11 15 26 38 6 1 1 2 10 2022–23 Maine Mariners ECHL 32 4 8 12 19 — — — — — 2023–24 Rapid City Rush ECHL 13 0 3 3 2 — — — — — AHL totals 133 11 22 33 60 2 0 0 0 5

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2013 Canada Pacific U17 5th 5 3 1 4 12 2014 Canada U18 7 1 1 2 4 Junior totals 12 4 2 6 16

Awards and honours Honours Year CHL CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (Team Cherry) 2014 International World U-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Pacific) 2013 IIHF World U18 Championship Bronze Medal 2014