Connor Pankratz: Ready To Make The Jump
With the 2020-21 season canceled, the WHL’s 2021 Prospects draft was pushed back to December from its usual May slot. Connor Pankratz followed along online as the delayed drafted took place but his name didn’t pop up at all by the end of it. Pankratz says that it’s a day that has helped fuel him to become the player he is today.
“That was definitely one of the bigger pieces of adversity that I’ve had to face in going through my hockey career so far,” said Pankratz about not being drafted in a telephone interview with kelownarockets.com. “You know, it definitely hurt that day, obviously I still remember it. At the end of the day I think it made me more hungrier, that offseason I took my training a lot more serious and focused more on becoming a better player.”
He has spent the last four seasons playing at St. George’s School with their U15, U17 and U18 Prep teams that compete in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. It’s a program that the Kelowna Rockets are very familiar with, having drafted Trevor Wong, Andrew Cristall, Eli Barrett and Kanjyu Gojsic out of.
This past season, the 5’11, 170-pound forward was named the captain of the U18 Prep team. Bursting out of the gates, he caught the attention of the Kelowna Rockets scouts who promptly listed the then 17-year-old in October.
“It was pretty cool for sure, Todd Harkins kind of told me before that the Rockets were interested in me. When they listed me I was pretty excited, honestly it was cool to have that phone call with Curtis Hamilton. It made me want to push a little harder throughout the year and keep getting better as a player.”
Todd Harkins, a former pro hockey player and current head of hockey at St George’s, has played a pivotal role in helping develop him to this point said Pankratz.
“I’m lucky enough that I’ve known Todd for a long time, since I think he was twelve he has coached me. I like to think we’re pretty close now, he’s been a major role model to me and in terms of coaching. He has helped take my game to the next level, he’s told me to focus on the things that I can control, like playing more physical, competing and winning those battles.”
In early February, Pankratz had committed to play in the BCHL next season, but a visit to Kelowna helped change his trajectory.
“That visit was a massive part of why I picked Kelowna. I came right around when the Super Bowl was happening, the guys were all having a little get together and getting to meet all of them was big. I learned a lot from that trip and I think it developed me a lot as a player. I stayed with the Wightman’s, they’re such a great family, and Dylan helped me out throughout that visit.”
By the end of his season, Pankratz lead his team in goals (21), assists (27) and points (48), adding 26 penalty minutes.
He was offered a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement by the Rockets and had to decide which route he wanted to go. On April 23, 2024 he made it official, signing with the Rockets.
“Obviously I have gotten that question quite a few times about why I’ve decided to go to Kelowna. Honestly when I went up to visit, what I felt from the staff and the whole organization, how it’s run, I got a really good feeling about it. I think for myself, the ultimate goal becoming a professional hockey player, I thought that this was just the best route for me.”
So what can Rockets fans expect from the forward? His foot down on the gas pedal in all areas of the ice.
“I think for me, my whole game revolves around working hard and winning those battles in the corner, that’s a big part of my identity. But I think at the same time, I am able to make plays and score goals here and there.”
Born in 2006, the Vancouver product will enter his first Rockets training camp in late August as an 18-year-old and is expected to slide into the Rockets lineup as an older player.
“Connor is a hard-working, highly competitive centreman,” said Rockets assistant general manager Curtis Hamilton. “He was a leader and the captain of his team, which we covet. He’s a 200-foot player, with some scoring ability, and we believe will mix in well with that age group and will easily blend into our lineup.”
Pankratz has come a long way from the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft where he wondered where his hockey career would take him after going undrafted. With the ink on his signed WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement now dry, he’s is counting down the days until his WHL debut with the Ogopogo on his jersey.
“Coming into a group where they had a good run in the playoffs and knowing what we’re building for next year, it’s really exciting to be a part of it. I can’t wait to get going.”
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