Connor Knapp (born May 1, 1990) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. Knapp was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 6th round (164th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and played two games in the NHL, both for the Sabres in 2014.[1]

Connor Knapp
Knapp in 2013
Born (1990-05-01) May 1, 1990 (age 34)
York, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Buffalo Sabres
NHL draft 164th overall, 2009
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2012–2017

Playing career

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Knapp with the Buffalo Sabres

Knapp won the State Championship in 2005 with McQuaid Jesuit High School, which he attended for his freshman and sophomore year. He played four seasons with the Miami RedHawks men's ice hockey team of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

On April 3, 2012, Knapp signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL)[2] and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

On April 12, 2014, Knapp made his NHL debut when he entered the Buffalo Sabres' net, in relief of the injured Matt Hackett, with 11:35 remaining in a 4–1 loss to the Boston Bruins. By dressing Knapp for the game, he became the ninth goaltender to dress for the Sabres during the 2013–14 NHL season (sixth to play)[3] and established the NHL record for most goaltenders dressed by one team in a single season.[4] Knapp played the entirety of the Sabres' final game of the season against the New York Islanders, a 4–3 shootout loss.

Knapp was designated a restricted free agent, but was not tendered an offer by the Buffalo Sabers prior to the 2014–15 season.[5] On August 6, 2014, as an unrestricted free agent, he signed a one-year AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.[6][7]

After two seasons within the Lehigh Valley Phantoms organization in which he spent the majority of his tenure with ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals, Knapp left as a free agent to sign a one-year deal with fellow ECHL club, the Norfolk Admirals, on September 14, 2016.[8] In the 2016–17 season, Knapp appeared in 14 games with the Admirals with just 2 wins before he was released on December 19, 2016.[9]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2007–08 Boston Jr. Bruins EJHL 25 14 7 2 1309 44 3 2.02 .925
2008–09 Miami Redhawks CCHA 23 13 5 3 1350 47 2 2.09 .904
2009–10 Miami Redhawks CCHA 20 10 4 4 1127 37 4 1.97 .921
2010–11 Miami Redhawks CCHA 17 8 5 4 975 33 2 2.03 .909
2011–12 Miami Redhawks CCHA 24 15 8 0 1348 38 5 1.69 .933
2012–13 Rochester Americans AHL 7 1 6 0 413 23 0 3.34 .893
2012–13 Greenville Road Warriors ECHL 12 5 7 0 728 37 0 3.05 .909 4 1 3 221 10 0 2.71 .922
2013–14 Greenville Road Warriors ECHL 16 7 7 2 957 37 1 2.32 .933
2013–14 Florida Everblades ECHL 11 2 5 3 583 30 0 3.09 .888
2013–14 Alaska Aces ECHL 2 2 0 0 120 3 0 1.50 .947
2013–14 Rochester Americans AHL 3 0 3 0 178 12 0 4.04 .876
2013–14 Buffalo Sabres NHL 2 0 0 1 77 4 0 3.12 .875
2014–15 Reading Royals ECHL 41 24 11 4 2369 102 1 2.58 .915 7 3 4 443 18 0 2.44 .919
2015–16 Reading Royals ECHL 22 10 10 1 1195 59 2 2.96 .899
2015–16 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 2 1 0 0 113 10 0 5.31 .821
2016–17 Norfolk Admirals ECHL 14 2 10 0 774 47 0 3.65 .893
NHL totals 2 0 0 1 77 4 0 3.12 .875

Awards and honours

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Award Year
CCHA All-Rookie Team 2008–09 [10]
CCHA Best Goaltender 2011–12 [11]

References

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  1. ^ "Sabres watching goalie prospect Connor Knapp closely". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  2. ^ "Sabres sign Knapp to entry-level deal". Buffalo Sabres. April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  3. ^ "New York Islanders at Buffalo Sabres". mercedsunstar.com. April 13, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  4. ^ "Buffalo Sabres season ends with loss". Democrat and Chronicle. April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  5. ^ Hoppe, Bill (June 30, 2014). "Sabres won't qualify Jamie McBain and Connor Knapp, undecided on Cory Conacher". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  6. ^ "Phantoms sign Knapp and Flemming". oursportscentral.com. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  7. ^ "Buffalo Sabres Prospect Connor Knapp Signs with Philadelphia Flyers Organization". Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  8. ^ "Connor Knapp announced as first Goaltender signed". Norfolk Admirals. September 14, 2016. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  9. ^ "Admirals insider: What just happened". Norfolk Admirals. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Hockey Awards & Achievements - NCAA (CCHA) All-Rookie Team". EliteProspects.com. April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Reichard, Knapp Headline Miami's Winners at CCHA Awards". Miami University RedHawks. April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Best Goaltender
2011–12
Succeeded by