Trevor Connelly

Trevor Connelly (born February 28, 2006) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a left wing for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 19th overall by the Golden Knights in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Between 2020 and 2022, Connelly played for four different amateur teams, unusual for a player of his calibre. One of the four, Bishop Kearney High School, suspended him almost immediately before he left within two weeks.

In the 2023–24 season, Connelly recorded 31 goals and 78 points in 52 games, good for seventh in goals and second in points in the USHL. The only player in the league to record at least 1.5 points per game and leading the Storm in goals, assists, points, and shots, he was named a second team USHL all-star. Ending his two-year career in the league, his 125 points were the second most in franchise history and his 60 goals were the third most. Entering the 2024 NHL entry draft, he was widely recognized for his skill, particularly his speed, vision, and intelligence, but some scouts were put off by multiple controversial incidents throughout his youth and junior career. In discussions with NHL personnel, Connelly cited his volunteer work and having participated in diversity training, concluding: "I just want to kind of not hang myself on the past and keep moving forward. And that's all I can do just to be the best person I can be every day." He was ultimately taken 19th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights.

On April 1, 2025, Connelly sighed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.

International play

In five games at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Connelly recorded five goals and ten points to lead Team USA to a third-place finish. Three of his five goals came in the form of a hat-trick during a lopsided 8–1 win over Germany in the preliminary round. Tied with Berkly Catton for the tournament's leading scorer, he was widely considered one of the best players at the event.

At the , Connelly scored four goals, including a Michigan goal, in an 8–5 bronze medal victory over Sweden. Including the four-goal outing, he finished the event with eleven points.

Connelly rejoined Team USA again for the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was the only member of the team not to be part of the National Team Development Program. He distinguished himself in their 7–1 victory over Latvia, where he had four points, including another Michigan goal. Team USA reached the championship final against Canada, and led 3–2 midway through the third period when Connelly received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head of Canadian forward Ryder Ritchie. The Canadians scored three goals on the ensuing power play, taking the lead, and would ultimately win the game 6–4 and take the gold medal. The Hockey News assessed that Connelly had been "effective throughout the tournament, but one bad moment might have cast a shadow over a very solid effort," as the five-minute major had caused the game to be "flipped on its head."

Connelly experienced harassment and bullying from both parents and other children from a young age. When he was 14, he was suspended from Bishop Kearney High School following an incident where he allegedly responded to hazing and humiliation at the hands of his teammates by urinating on another player's equipment. Second Team All-Star 2024

World Junior A Challenge – All-Star Team 2023