Philadelphia Flyers farmhand defenseman Kevin Connauton will be representing his home nation for the first time in an on-ice competition.
Connauton was named to Team Canada’s roster for the upcoming Spengler Cup. The Spengler Cup is a tournament that was first played in 1923 and is annually held in Davos, Switzerland. It was formed by Dr. Carl Spengler to promote German-speaking countries in Europe who dealt with ostracism after World War I. The tournament eventually became more prized and several prestigious European clubs have participated along with Team Canada.
Connauton has spent the 2022-23 season with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms after being waived by the Flyers on October 7th. He has recorded three assists in 23 games with the Phantoms while providing a steady veteran presence this year on a young blueline in Allentown alongside players like Egor Zamula, Cam York, Ronnie Attard, Adam Ginning, Wyatte Wylie, and Linus Högberg.
Connauton originally joined the Philadelphia organization after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers last season on December 7th, 2021. He skated in 26 games for the Flyers in 2021-22, registering a goal and two assists for three points to accompany seven penalty minutes and a -7 rating.
Across his NHL career, Connauton has appeared in 360 contests, accruing 28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points to go along with 188 penalty minutes and a +6 rating while playing for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Connauton has also spent 284 games in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, Texas Stars, Tucson Roadrunners, Colorado Eagles, and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He has scored 39 goals and 82 assists for 121 points during his AHL career.
Connauton joins a Team Canada squad filled with former NHL talent. Joining Connauton on defense are players with NHL experience such as Cody Goloubef and Wyatt Kalynuk, a former Flyers draft pick. Up front, David Desharnais, Daniel Carr, Tyler Ennis, Colton Sceviour, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, and Riley Nash are just a handful of former NHL forwards on the roster. Canada will be led in goal by Michael Hutchinson and Michael DiPietro.
