Trevor Connelly Will Be a First Round Pick in 2024

Tri-City Storm forward Trevor Connelly was the best player at the 2023 USHL Fall Classic before the NTDP started to play. He had the spotlight to himself, and he made the most of it. Scoring is great, and he did have a two-point opening night win, there was a lot more to his game that really caught the attention of scouts.  

“That was super good. I thought we played a really good team game. Everyone was battling hard and skating fast. Just playing as a team,” said Connelly. 

The 2024 NHL draft-eligible forward plays anywhere from 18 to 21 minutes a game. He’s a top-line left wing, plus he plays on the power play and penalty kill. Players love to get minutes, but he really enjoys it. 

“I was on the ice a lot this game. I tried to battle it,” Connelly stated. “We had a couple of guys who were throwing up, they were sick. As a team we won so we got the outcome we wanted.” 

At one point in the game, he had a turnover he got back and laid his body out to throw off the opponent’s shot to help preserve what was a shutout at the time. It was the best defensive play I witnessed at the tournament early on.  

“Obviously it wasn’t the best play to throw it down the middle,” he admitted. “I used my speed and my skating and work to get back and make a play on that.” 

With Providence coach Nate Leaman standing near me, I asked Connelly why he chose that school to commit to. Having your future coach congratulate you after the game is a good feeling for sure. 

“I think they will develop me into the best player I can become,” Connelly projected. “I think Leaman is one of the best college hockey coaches and when I stepped on the campus, I knew it was the right place. It’s close to my relatives on my dad’s side of the family so going there made sense.” 

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Connelly has speed, a very good hockey I.Q. and he can shoot or score. He is highly skilled and he can get more points as he moves up the ladder. I think when he gets equally matched players on his line that will unlock more offense. 

“I worked on things I needed to work on from last year. I worked with my video coach and improved my shot and my defensive play,” Connelly stated. “I’m trying to become more of a 200-foot player on the ice.” 

Connelly has top-notch puck skills and elusiveness. 

“I think my dad and my coach, Eugene Kabanets, helped me a lot when I was younger. I worked on a lot of that with them.” 

Connelly likes to perform under bright lights. 

“I try and push it away from now and be the best player and person I can be on and off the ice,” Connelly added. “This is fun and it’s an honor to see all the NHL scouts and college coaches here. I like playing under pressure. It’s fun.” 

Let’s see how high he’s projected to go in a few months.