Connor Clifton

Connor Clifton (born April 28, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defenseman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey with Quinnipiac University.

Playing career Born in Long Branch, New Jersey and raised in Matawan, New Jersey, Clifton played prep hockey at Christian Brothers Academy together with his brother, Tim. Having played in his draft eligible year within the U.S. National Development Team Program where the team won silver in the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, In his junior season, Clifton was named captain of the Bobcats and at the conclusion of the season was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Tournament, NCAA East All-Frozen Four Team, and honored ECAC Hockey Most Outstanding Player in Tournament.

Clifton was signed to a two year entry-level NHL contract by the Boston Bruins on May 3, 2018. He began the 2018–19 season in Providence, and made his NHL debut on November 16, 2018, against the Dallas Stars, after being recalled on an emergency basis.

On March 23, 2019, Clifton registered his first NHL point with an assist on a Noel Acciari's goal, in a 7–3 win over the Florida Panthers. He scored his first NHL goal in Game 2 of that year's Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, as part of a 6–2 rout. The Bruins would later advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, but would lose to the St. Louis Blues in seven games. He would earn the nickname "Cliffy Hockey" during his time with the Bruins.

On July 1, 2019, Clifton signed a three-year, $3 million contract extension to remain with the Bruins.

Clifton's play the previous season earned him a spot on the opening night roster for the Bruins to start the 2019–20 season. Clifton was a regular fixture on the third defense pairing for the Bruins until the season was suddenly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, registering two goals in 33 games. He would play in eight postseason games for the Bruins, scoring a goal and two assists before the Bruins were eliminated in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

Solidifying himself as an NHL defensemen, Clifton would play in 44 games for the Bruins in the shortened 2020–21 season, scoring a goal and six assists for seven points. He would continue being a solid presence for the Bruins the following season, scoring two goals and eight assists in 60 games. Buffalo Sabres On July 1, 2023, Clifton left the Bruins as a free agent and was signed to a three-year, $9.99 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres. On October 27, 2023, Clifton delivered an illegal check to the head on New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier, who was injured on the play. Clifton was assessed a match penalty, and following a league hearing was suspended for two games.

Pittsburgh Penguins On June 28, 2025, Clifton, and the 39th pick in the 2025 NHL entry draft, was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Conor Timmins and Issac Belliveau. In the season, Clifton appeared in 50 games on the blueline with the Penguins recording 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in a third-pairing role.

Return to Boston On July 1, 2026, as a free agent, Clifton returned to the Bruins organization in signing a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

Personal life Clifton married his wife, Amanda Thompson, in August 2021. Their daughter was born in June 2024.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2009–10 New Jersey Hitmen EmJHL 33 2 10 12 59 3 0 0 0 2 2010–11 New Jersey Hitmen EmJHL 36 4 14 18 95 7 2 2 4 10 2011–12 New Jersey Hitmen EmJHL 4 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2011–12 New Jersey Hitmen EJHL 28 1 11 12 46 6 0 3 3 15 2011–12 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 8 1 0 1 16 — — — — — 2011–12 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 12 1 1 2 24 — — — — — 2012–13 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 25 3 6 9 90 — — — — — 2012–13 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 66 8 15 23 114 — — — — — 2013–14 Quinnipiac University ECAC 36 5 4 9 106 — — — — — 2014–15 Quinnipiac University ECAC 38 0 5 5 54 — — — — — 2015–16 Quinnipiac University ECAC 43 7 21 28 42 — — — — — 2016–17 Quinnipiac University ECAC 39 7 7 14 82 — — — — — 2017–18 Providence Bruins AHL 54 4 9 13 35 4 0 0 0 2 2018–19 Providence Bruins AHL 53 6 21 27 52 — — — — — 2018–19 Boston Bruins NHL 19 0 1 1 15 18 2 3 5 16 2019–20 Boston Bruins NHL 31 2 0 2 12 8 1 2 3 6 2019–20 Providence Bruins AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2020–21 Boston Bruins NHL 44 1 6 7 38 10 0 0 0 2 2021–22 Boston Bruins NHL 60 2 8 10 32 7 1 1 2 8 2022–23 Boston Bruins NHL 78 5 18 23 60 3 0 0 0 2 2023–24 Buffalo Sabres NHL 79 4 14 18 88 — — — — — 2024–25 Buffalo Sabres NHL 73 1 15 16 45 — — — — — 2025–26 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 50 2 4 6 53 3 0 0 0 0NHL totals 434 17 66 83 343 49 4 6 10 34

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2012 United States IH18 7th 3 0 0 0 2 2013 United States U18 7 1 0 1 2 2026 United States WC 8th 8 1 0 1 4 Junior totals 10 1 0 1 4Senior totals 8 1 0 1 4

Awards and honors Award Year College ECAC All-Tournament Team 2016 ECAC Tournament MOP 2016 NCAA All-Tournament Team 2016