Conner Bleackley

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| alt =

| name = Conner Bleackley

| image = Conner bleackley red deer rebels 1.jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Bleackley with the Red Deer Rebels in 2014

| team = Free Agent

| league =

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams = Chicago Wolves
San Antonio Rampage
Texas Stars
Hartford Wolf Pack
Maine Mariners (ECHL)
Allen Americans (ECHL)
Rapid City Rush (ECHL)

| position = Centre

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 195

| shoots = Right

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|2|7}}

| birth_place = High River, Alberta, Canada

| draft = 23rd overall, 2014
Colorado Avalanche
144th overall

| draft_team = St. Louis Blues

| draft_year = 2016

| career_start = 2016

| career_end =

}}

Conner Bleackley (born February 7, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently playing under contract with the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL. Bleackley was originally selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft,{{cite news| url = http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_26050642/avs-select-conner-bleackley-no-23-pick-nhl-draft | title = Conner Bleackley selected by Avs with No. 23 pick in draft | newspaper = Denver Post | date = 2014-06-27 | accessdate = 2014-06-27}} but was not signed to an entry-level contract, forcing him to re-enter the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, whereupon he was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 144th overall.

Playing career

Bleackley was selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft from AAA Bantam club the Okotoks Oilers.{{cite web| url = http://www.reddeerrebels.com/article/rebels-pick-conner-bleackley | title = Rebels pick Conner Bleackley | publisher = Red Deer Rebels | date = 2011-05-05 | accessdate = 2014-02-04}} After playing a further half season of midget hockey with the UFA Bisons of Strathmore in the Alberta Midget Hockey League he made his WHL debut in the 2011–12 season.

In only his second full season with the Red Deer Rebels he was named team captain as a 17-year-old for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web| url = http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/conner-bleackley/ | title = Hockey's Future: Conner Bleackley | publisher = HockeysFuture.com | date = 2013-10-21 | accessdate = 2014-05-16}} Bleackley whilst showing positional versatility broke out offensively with the Rebels, producing a career high 29 goals and 68 points in 71 games. His outstanding play was further rewarded when he was chosen to skate in the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.{{cite web | url = http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/01/14/red-deer-rebels-conner-bleackley-fond-of-high-river-roots | title = Red Deer Rebels' Conner Bleackley fond of High River roots | publisher = Calgary Sun | date = 2014-01-14 | accessdate = 2014-01-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140823132232/http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/01/14/red-deer-rebels-conner-bleackley-fond-of-high-river-roots | archive-date = August 23, 2014 | url-status = dead }}

Bleackley draft stock rose and he finished the season rated as a top prospect{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=719037 | title = Red Deer Rebels' Conner Bleackley readies for NHL Scouting Combine | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2014-06-20 | accessdate = 2014-06-20}} who was viewed as a possible first round selection heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft before he was selected by the Colorado Avalanche.{{cite web| url = http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2014/5/23/5745074/conner-bleackley-2014-nhl-draft-prospect-profile | title = Conner Bleackley: 2014 NHL Draft Prospect Profile | publisher = In Lou We Trust | date = 2014-05-23 | accessdate = 2014-05-23}} In Bleackley's first NHL training camp, the Avalanche were critical of his conditioning and promptly returned him to the WHL without an entry-level contract.{{cite news| url = http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_28449422/avalanche-draft-pick-conner-bleackley-working-toward-his | title = Avalanche draft pick Bleackley working toward his time in the NHL | newspaper = Denver Post | date = 2015-07-07 | accessdate = 2015-07-07}} In the 2014–15 season, Bleackley continued his scoring pace from previous seasons with 27 goals and 49 points in 51 games. On February 6, Bleackley suffered a strained groin, effectively ruling him out until the post-season in which Red Deer suffered a first-round exit.

During the off-season in the lead up to the 2015–16 season, Bleackley returned to the Avalanche rookie and training camp with ambition to earn an entry-level contract.{{cite web| url = http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=779696 | title = Prospect Bleackley relishes learning | publisher = Colorado Avalanche | date = 2015-09-18 | accessdate = 2015-09-19}} With an improved physical performance, Bleackley was later returned for his final season of junior after competing in a pre-season game with the Avalanche. Prior to the commencement of the WHL season, Bleackley was relinquished of the captaincy by the Rebels, with coach Brent Sutter explaining the intent to focus on reaching his potential.{{cite web| url = http://bsndenver.com/colorado-avalanche-prospect-conner-bleackley-stripped-of-captaincy/ | title = Colorado Avalanche prospect Conner Bleackley stripped of captaincy | website = bsndenver.com | date = 2015-10-15 | accessdate = 2015-10-15}} With a guaranteed berth at the 2016 Memorial Cup, Bleackley struggled in the early stages of the year offensively. Bleackley picked up his offensive production and scored 41 points in 47 games before suffering a broken kneecap against the Everett Silvertips on January 23, 2016.{{cite web | url = http://thecoachessite.com/2016/01/26/johnston-still-has-energy-for-coaching/ | title = Rebels lose Bleackley to broken kneecap | website = thecoachessite.com | date = 2016-01-26 | accessdate = 2016-01-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160229133207/http://thecoachessite.com/2016/01/26/johnston-still-has-energy-for-coaching/ | archive-date = February 29, 2016 | url-status = dead }}

With the Avalanche intending not to offer Bleackley a contract, at the trade deadline on February 29, 2016, his rights were included in a trade alongside Alex Tanguay and fellow prospect Kyle Wood to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Mikkel Boedker.{{cite news| url = http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_29576750/alex-tanguay-prospects-traded-by-avs-arizona-mikkel-boedker | title = Alex Tanguay, prospects traded to Arizona for Mikkel Boedker | newspaper = Denver Post | date = 2016-02-29 | accessdate = 2016-02-29}} Citing his injury history, the Coyotes also declined to offer Bleackley a contract and instead chose to receive a compensatory second-round draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft; Bleackley will be required to re-enter the same draft.{{cite web| url = https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1036744 | title = Coyotes' Bleackley to re-enter draft | website = thescore.com | date = 2016-06-15 | accessdate = 2016-06-15}}

After his re-selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues, on July 2, 2016, Bleackley was finally signed to a three-year, entry-level contract.{{cite web| url = http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888398 | title = Blues add depth, agree to terms with 9 players | publisher = St. Louis Blues | date = 2016-07-01 | accessdate = 2016-07-01}}

Bleackley played with the Kansas City Mavericks in the 2016-2017 season.{{cite web| url = https://kcmavericks.com/team/roster | title = Kansas City Mavericks Roster 2016-17 regular season | publisher = Kansas City Mavericks | date = 2016–2017 | accessdate = June 2, 2025}} The following year in the 2017-2018 season, he played for the Tulsa Oilers.{{cite web| url = https://tulsaoilers.com/team/roster | title = Tulsa Oilers Roster 2017-18 regular season | publisher = Tulsa Oilers | date = 2017–2018 | accessdate = June 2, 2025}}

At the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Bleackley was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Blues, releasing him to become a free agent on June 25, 2019.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/blues-extend-qualifying-offers-to-9-restricted-free-agents/c-308055828 | title = Blues extend qualifying offers to 9 players | publisher = St. Louis Blues | date = June 25, 2019 | accessdate = June 25, 2019}} Unable to attract NHL interest, Bleackley was signed to a one-year ECHL contract with the Idaho Steelheads on September 3, 2019.{{cite web| url = https://www.idahosteelheads.com/en/articles/forward-conner-bleackley-joins-steelheads-for-2019-20-season | title = Forward Conner Bleackley joins Steelheads | publisher = Idaho Steelheads | date = September 3, 2019 | accessdate = September 3, 2019}} He was invited to attend the Steelheads AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars training camp prior to the 2019–20 season. On October 5, 2019 after a successful camp he was signed to a professional try-out contract with Texas to remain on the roster.{{cite web| url = http://www.texasstars.com/news/detail/texas-stars-announce-training-camp-roster | title = Texas Stars announce training camp roster | publisher = Texas Stars | date = September 24, 2019 | accessdate = September 24, 2019}} Bleackley opened the season with the Stars, scoring 2 goals in a 5-3 defeat to the Manitoba Moose on October 5, 2019. Showing initial success with the Stars, Bleackley remained with the club through 10 games, registering 5 points, before he was returned to the Idaho Steelheads. Bleackley compiled 13 points through 18 games with the Steelheads before he was dealt in a three-way trade to the Maine Mariners on January 14, 2020.{{cite web| url = https://marinersofmaine.com/news/mariners-acquire-bleackley-from-idaho-in-three-team-deal/ | title = Mariners acquire Bleackley from Idaho in three team deal | publisher = Maine Mariners | date = January 14, 2020 | accessdate = January 14, 2020}} Bleackley played well with Maine over the last 15 games of the 2019–20 season, recording 5 goals and 5 assists.

On January 2, 2021, Bleackley continued his career in the ECHL, signing a contract to play with the Allen Americans.{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/ECHLWeek/status/1345464249947140105 | title = Americans sign Conner Bleackley | publisher = Twitter | author = ECHL | date = January 2, 2021 | accessdate = January 2, 2021}} In the 2020–21 season, Bleackley struggled to contribute offensively, posting 4 goals and 9 points through 32 regular season games. On April 13, 2021, he was traded by the Americans to the Indy Fuel to complete an earlier transaction. He did not report and feature with the Fuel.{{cite web| url = https://www.indyfuelhockey.com/en/news/2021/4/fuel-complete-trade-with-allen-americans | title = Fuel complete trade with Americans | publisher = Indy Fuel | date = April 13, 2021 | accessdate = April 13, 2021}}

As a free agent in the following summer, Bleackley opted to continue in the ECHL, returning to former club the Maine Mariners on September 29, 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.echl.com/en/news/2021/9/bleackley-returns-to-mariners | title = Bleackley returns to Mariners | publisher = ECHL | date = September 29, 2021 | accessdate = September 29, 2021}} In 2023, Bleackley joined the Rapid City Rush.{{cite web| url = https://rapidcityrush.com/news/2023/09/veteran-forward-bleackley-inks-deal-with-rush | title = VETERAN FORWARD BLEACKLEY INKS DEAL WITH RUSH | publisher = Rapid City Rush | date = September 21, 2023 | accessdate = June 2, 2025}}

International play

As a 17-year-old he was chosen to compete with the team representing Canada Pacific at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, and as an 18-year-old he helped Team Canada capture the bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.{{cite web| url = http://www.highriveronline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26060&Itemid=345 | title = High River's Conner Bleackley Poised and Ready For NHL Draft | publisher = HighriverOnline.com | date = 2014-06-20 | accessdate = 2014-06-20}}

Career statistics

=Regular season and playoffs=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM
2011–12 \| UFA Bisons \| AMHL \| 26	13	17	30	41 \| 2	0	0	0	0
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2011–12 \| Red Deer Rebels \| WHL \| 16	2	0	2	6 \| —	—	—	—	—
2012–13 \| Red Deer Rebels \| WHL \| 66	9	9	18	28 \| 9	2	1	3	0
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2013–14 \| Red Deer Rebels \| WHL \| 71	29	39	68	48 \| 1	0	1	1	0
2014–15 \| Red Deer Rebels \| WHL \| 51	27	22	49	49 \| 5	1	1	2	4
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2015–16 \| Red Deer Rebels \| WHL \| 55	13	33	46	49 \| —	—	—	—	—
2016–17 \| Chicago Wolves \| AHL \| 45	2	8	10	8 \| 2	0	0	0	5
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2016–17 \| Missouri Mavericks \| ECHL \| 14	7	10	17	14 \| —	—	—	—	—
2017–18 \| Tulsa Oilers \| ECHL \| 40	19	19	38	82 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2017–18 \| Chicago Wolves \| AHL \| 7	0	1	1	2 \| —	—	—	—	—
2017–18 \| San Antonio Rampage \| AHL \| 13	1	0	1	7 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2018–19 \| San Antonio Rampage \| AHL \| 57	5	11	16	35 \| —	—	—	—	—
2019–20 \| Texas Stars \| AHL \| 10	3	2	5	6 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2019–20 \| Idaho Steelheads \| ECHL \| 18	4	9	13	4 \| —	—	—	—	—
2019–20 \| Maine Mariners \| ECHL \| 15	5	5	10	14 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2019–20 \| Hartford Wolf Pack \| AHL \| 1	0	0	0	2 \| —	—	—	—	—
2020–21 \| Allen Americans \| ECHL \| 32	4	5	9	17 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2021–22 \| Maine Mariners \| ECHL \| 66	11	15	26	38 \| 6	1	1	2	10
2022–23 \| Maine Mariners \| ECHL \| 32	4	8	12	19 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2023–24 \| Rapid City Rush \| ECHL \| 13	0	3	3	2 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| AHL totals ! 133 !! 11 !! 22 !! 33 !! 60 ! 2 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 5

=International=

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"

ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Year

! Team

! Event

! Result

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

2013

| Canada Pacific

| U17

| 5th

| 5

| 3

| 1

| 4

| 12

bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2014

| Canada

| U18

| {{Bronze3}}

| 7

| 1

| 2

| 4

ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan=4 | Junior totals

! 12

! 4

! 2

! 6

! 16

Awards and honours

class="wikitable"

! Honours

! Year

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | CHL

CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (Team Cherry)

| 2014

| {{cite news| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/team-orr-beats-team-cherry-in-chl-top-prospects-game/article16362052/ | title = Team Orr beats Team Cherry in CHL Top Prospects Game | newspaper = The Globe and Mail | date = 2014-01-16 | accessdate = 2014-05-17}}

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | International

World U-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Pacific)

| 2013

| {{cite web | url = http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20130109/WHE1101/301099967/rebel-paces-pacific-into-top-five | title = Rebel paces Pacific into top five | publisher = OkotoksWesternWheel.com | date = 2013-01-09 | accessdate = 2014-05-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150613180712/http://www.westernwheel.com/article/20130109/WHE1101/301099967/rebel-paces-pacific-into-top-five | archive-date = June 13, 2015 | url-status = dead }}

IIHF World U18 Championship Bronze Medal

| 2014

| {{cite web | url = http://okotoksonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24122&Itemid=33351 | title = Canada Claims Bronze at World Under-18 Championships | publisher = Okotoksonline.com | date = 2014-04-28 | accessdate = 2014-04-28 | archive-date = June 14, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150614074954/http://okotoksonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24122&Itemid=33351 | url-status = dead }}