Connor Bunnaman

Connor Bunnaman (born April 16, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bunnaman played in the Ontario Hockey League for the Kitchener Rangers before being drafted by the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Connor Bunnaman
Connor Bunnaman after his first NHL goal
Born (1998-04-16) April 16, 1998
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Draft 109th overall, 2016
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2018–present

Early life

Bunnaman was born on April 16, 1998, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.[1]

Playing career

Junior

Growing up, Bunnaman played for the Guelph Jr. Gryphons U16 AAA in the South Central Triple-A Hockey League U16.[1] Following this, he was named to Team OMHA White, where he competed at the OHL Gold Cup U-16 tournament and earned an invitation to Canada’s national under-17 development camp. He was subsequently drafted 31st overall in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft by the Kitchener Rangers.[2] He scored his first career OHL goal during a 6–5 win over the Guelph Storm off an assist from Mike Davies on October 13, 2014.[3] As the Rangers began their playoff berth against the London Knights, he recorded his first post-season goal during Game 2.[4]

Bunnaman was drafted in the fourth round, 109th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Upon being drafted, Bunnaman stated that he felt he would fit in well with the team because he considered himself "a two-way, power forward. I create space well for others so I think I fit into their system well."[5] Prior to the 2017–18 season, Bunnaman signed an entry-level contract with the team[6] and was invited to participate in the Flyers' training camp.[7] Upon returning, Bunnaman was named captain of the Kitchener Rangers alongside alternate captains Adam Mascherin, Connor Hall and Jake Henderson. At the night of the announcement, Bunnaman also played in his 200th career OHL, tying Barry Duench for 41st place in franchise history for regular-season games played.[8]

Professional

Upon concluding his major junior ice hockey career, Bunnaman joined the Flyers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, for the 2018–19 season.[9] He recorded his first professional goal on October 28, 2018, in a 3–1 loss against the Hershey Bears.[10] After a slow start to the season, Bunnaman was moved to the teams' first line after Phil Varone was recalled by the Flyers and played alongside Greg Carey and Nicolas Aubé-Kubel.[11] By December, he had a goal-scoring streak of three games and recorded the game winning goal during a game against the Belleville Senators.[12] Bunnaman ended the season with 32 points in 62 games.[1]

After participating in the Flyers' 2019 training camp, Bunnaman made his NHL debut on October 4, 2019, skating 11:06 minutes and recording two shots on goal.[13] He split the 2019-20 season between the Flyers and the Phantoms, but recorded his first career NHL goal on January 13, 2020, against the Boston Bruins.[14] He also joined the Flyers for the 2020 playoffs in Toronto.[15]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Kitchener Rangers OHL 671051518 61120
2015–16 Kitchener Rangers OHL 6816223814 92240
2016–17 Kitchener Rangers OHL 6437155230 34047
2017–18 Kitchener Rangers OHL 6627235031 19591416
2018–19 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 6219133216 —————
2019–20 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 211122 40002
2019–20 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 2963912 —————
NHL totals 211122 40002

References
  1. "Connor Bunnaman". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  2. "BUNNAMAN COMMITS TO RANGERS". kitchenerrangers,com. Kitchener Rangers. June 23, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  3. "MAGYAR POTS A PAIR IN RANGERS WIN". kitchenerrangers.com. Kitchener Rangers. October 13, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  4. "BUNNAMAN, DAVIES SCORE IN GAME 2 LOSS". kitchenerrangers.com. Kitchener Rangers. March 29, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  5. "Connor Bunnaman excited and motivated after being drafted by the Flyers". kitchenerrangers.com. Kitchener Rangers. July 15, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  6. "Flyers agree to terms with forward Connor Bunnaman". nhl.com. National Hockey League. April 21, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  7. "Six Kitchener Rangers off to NHL camps". kitchenerrangers.com. Kitchener Rangers. September 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  8. "Connor Bunnaman named Kitchener Rangers captain". kitchenerrangers.com. Kitchener Rangers. September 22, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  9. Hryvnak, Russ (September 20, 2018). "Flyers Assign 10 Players to Phantoms Ahead of Training Camp". phantomshockey.com. Leigh Valley Phantoms. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  10. "Phantoms Take First Away Loss of Season". phantomshockey.com. Leigh Valley Phantoms. October 28, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  11. Williams, John (January 17, 2019). "Phantoms Rookies Filling Key Roles During Crucial Part of the Season". phantomshockey.com. Leigh Valley Phantoms. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  12. "Rookies Lead the Way Past Belleville 4-1". phantomshockey.com. Leigh Valley Phantoms. December 14, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. Meltzer, Bill (May 16, 2020). "Meltzer's Player Profile: Connor Bunnaman". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  14. Adams, Blair (January 14, 2020). "Bunnaman scores first NHL goal". kitchenertoday.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  15. Hall, Jordan (26 July 2020). "2020 NHL playoffs: Flyers announce 31-man roster for 24-team tournament, fly to Toronto with sweet shirts". NBC Sports. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
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