Jack Connelly (LHF)
American centre, Jack Connelly was never drafted and came to came to Sweden directly after playing University hockey where he received the coveted Hobey Baker Award for the best men's college hockey player in 2012. He has stayed here ever since playing all but one season in the top division, the SHL.
Only 173 cm he has found his niche in being a go-to points getter for teams in the lower half of the table. After six years he has gained a 0.50 Points Per Game and at Rögle BK in 2015/6 he was the team's top scorer. He has just finished four years at the Ängelholm club helping them go up from the second division and remain in the top flight. He contribution has primarily been in gaining assists scoring more than one every other match in his first three seasons at the club.
Now the 29 year old centre is moving to the other end of the country to play with Luleå HF and perhaps renewing partnership with Patrik Cehlén who was only one point behind the Canadian in that top scoring season, Connelly's best since moving to Europe.
(Incidentally, the Luleå team also contains Ryan Johnson, the 26 year old who has played for Montreal Canadiens and their AHL development team, St Johns Ice Caps who nearly made my back partnership).
Luleå will be looking for a 7-10 placement this year and will need Connelly's firepower and experience to hold off the competition and avoid the drop into a relegation scramble. It could be a player like Connelly, who has experience from that battle over the last few years, who could be key in helping Luleå stay up in the SHL.
@ABritOnThinIce1
