The Vegas Golden Knights have selected Trevor Connelly with the 19th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Trevor Connelly, a forward from Tustin, California, played with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL during the 2023-24 season. Appearing in 52 contests. Connelly recorded 78 points (31 G, 47 A) and was named to the USHL Second All-Star Team and the WJAC-19 All-Star Team. The 18-year-old earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and a silver medal at the 2024 U18 World Junior Championship with team U.S.A. Connelly finished his Team U.S.A. U19 2023-24 campaign as a bronze medalist for the WJAC-19 after posting 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in six games. Unquestionably Connelly is a high level playmaker. Having too many high level scorers in addition to a strong roster is a good problem.
Controversial past
In 2021, he was accused of directing a racial slur toward an opponent. Discipline was not upheld by the California Amateur Hockey Association because the allegation could not be proven.
“I think it’s just trust that’s been the biggest thing for me. Being with people you trust, putting yourself in situations that you trust,” Connelly said. “That’s been the biggest thing for me throughout this process and not putting myself in the past and moving forward.” Connelly said when he talked to the Knights at the scouting combine in June in Buffalo.
Despite the controversy Connelly is looks forward to growing on and off the ice and the Golden Knights are very excited for his future with the team.
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