(Jesse Watts, whl.ca) Calgary, AB –Leading up to the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, California on June 25, WHL.ca and WHL Web TV, will highlight six WHL players who are highly ranked by NHL Central Scouting leading into the draft.  This week’s featured WHL player is Prince George Cougars forward Brett Connolly.

CLICK HERE for Brett Connolly video highlights from the 2009-10 season.

Brett Connolly – Prince George Cougars

 

Hometown:  Prince George, B.C.

D.O.B: May 2, 1992

Ht:  6’ 2”

Wt:  181

WHL Bantam Draft:  2007, 1^st rd, 10^th overall (Prince George Cougars)

C.C.S Rank:  3^rd among domestic skaters.

 

Brett Connolly just completed his second season in the WHL with the Cougars.  Although he was limited to just 16 games during the season due to injury, he still managed 10 goals and 19 points for his hometown team.

 

A dynamic and multi-tooled offensive star, Connolly is a player who can do it all in the offensive zone.  He boasts terrific top-end speed and good agility to make him difficult to contain.  His puckhandling skills are strong, and he can make plays at a high pace.  An accurate shot, which he can get off in a hurry, makes him a threat to score from many different areas of the ice.  Perhaps his best asset is his outstanding hockey sense.  Connolly’s ability to read and anticipate plays helps him find holes and get into great scoring position.  As offensively gifted as Connolly is, he’s also very responsible and aware in the defensive zone.  The 2009 WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year, Connolly is the type of player who undoubtedly makes his teammates better.

 

“I’ve been in the WHL for a long time, been on some good teams, and coached some great players, but Connolly has the ability to make his teammates better more so than any other player I have ever coached,” said Cougars’ head coach Dean Clark.

 

“He’s 6’3”, he skates very, very well, and he’s got unbelievable vision with the puck and the ability to make plays,” said Clark.  “He’ll be for sure a top-six forward for whoever ends up taking him.”

 

The WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year in 2009, Connolly participated in the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, was one of just three 16-year-olds to play for Canada’s Under-18 team at the U-18 World Championship in April 2009, played for the Under-18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August 2009, and suited up again for the Under-18 team at the 2010 U-18 World Championship.

 

Connolly played for Team WHL at the 2009 SUBWAY Super Series, and was also selected to play in the 2010 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game, but could not participate due to injury.

 

Did you know…Connolly was the first 16-year-old player to score 30 goals since Patrick Marleau accomplished the feat during the 1995-96 season.