Kevin Connauton
A durable NHL journeyman defenseman who carved out a 12-year career through adaptability and a reliable shot from the point.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: February 23·Millennials
Biography
Kevin Connauton's path in professional hockey is a testament to persistence and utility. Drafted as an offensive-minded defenseman from the Western Hockey League, he honed his game in the AHL before getting his NHL break with the Dallas Stars. Connauton never became a star, but he fashioned himself into a valuable commodity: a mobile, left-shot blueliner who could quarterback a power play, deliver a heavy hit, and slot into various lineup roles. This skillset made him a useful piece for seven different NHL franchises, from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Philadelphia Flyers. He was the kind of player GMs acquired at trade deadlines for depth, a professional who prepared the same way whether he was playing 20 minutes or was a healthy scratch. His longevity speaks to a quiet professionalism and an ability to evolve his game to meet the league's changing pace, spending his later years as a veteran leader for AHL affiliates while remaining ready for an NHL call-up.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kevin was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kevin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Kevin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played over 350 regular-season games in the NHL across seven different franchises.
- Scored his first NHL goal in his debut game with the Dallas Stars in 2013.
- Recorded a career-high 11 goals and 21 points during the 2017-18 season with the Arizona Coyotes.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks but made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars.
Connauton played college hockey for one season at Western Michigan University before moving to major junior.
He participated in the 2019 NHL playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche.
“I stay ready so I never have to get ready when my number is called.”
