Connor Clifton is a professional ice hockey defenseman from the United States who is presently competing for the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins. He participated in Quinnipiac University’s collegiate hockey team.
Early Life and Family
Connor Clifton was born on April 18, 1995, in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA. His proud parents, Tim Sr. and Joanie Clifton welcomed him into the world.
In addition to his parents, Connor has two brothers. Tim Clifton Jr. is the eldest child in the family, and Corey Clifton is the youngest.
They used to skate across the frozen pond behind their Matawan home as kids. It was their father who instilled in the Clifton boy’s love of ice hockey.
Furthermore, Tim, Connor, and Corey began their ice hockey careers at Christians Brothers Academy, which they all attended. The New Jersey Hitmen came first, followed by Quinnipiac University.
Amateur Ice Hockey Career
Connor Clifton received his education at Christians Brothers Academy. He played prep hockey in high school.
While there, he played for the New Jersey Hitmen in the Empire Junior Hockey League (EJHL), the precursor to today’s USPHL Elite Division, as a 14-year-old.
Then he joined the EJHL’s top team, the New Jersey Hitmen, the forerunner to today’s NCDC. He had 12 points in 28 games for the Hitmen as a 16-year-old.
Clifton was later drafted 133rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round of the NHL entry draft. But they never signed him.
Quinnipiac University
After that, the young man from New Jersey decided to hone his hockey skills in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
He spent the next four years as a member of Quinnipiac University’s men’s ice hockey team after being accepted. He began his first year at Quinnipiac in the 2013-14 season.
Clifton competed in 156 NCAA-related contests. He finished with a total of 56 points. He also demonstrated his offensive abilities, which are not typically the strongest suit of a right-handed defenseman.
After four seasons with the Quinnipiac Bobcats, the New Jersey native was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hockey All-Academic Team.
Professional Ice Hockey Career
When Clifton was a senior in 2017, the Arizona Coyotes withdrew him from the team. On August 16, 2017, he joined the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
In the 2016–17 AHL season, Connor Clifton participated in 54 games for the Providence Bruins. With 13 points and 35 penalty minutes at season’s end, he had the fewest in his career.
Connor also played in four AHL playoff games the year before. He also played in 14 games for the Providence Bruins in the 2017–18 season.
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Boston Bruins
The New Jersey native demonstrated his abilities and was successful in convincing the Boston Bruins of his abilities. On May 3, 2018, he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins.
Due to an emergency, he was invited to play. The Boston Bruins suffered some injuries.
As a result, Providence Bruins players Connor Clifton and Jakub Zboril got to play..
Jakub Zboril’s performance as a former first-round draft pick excited Boston Bruins fans. However, despite the loss, it was the newcomer Connor Clifton who performed admirably.
In addition, he then played eight more games for the Boston Bruins. The injured players had recovered, and Clifton was ready to rejoin the Providence Bruins.
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Game with the Bruins after injury
Connor Clifton then returned in Game 1 on April 25, just three days before his 24th birthday. In the first round, they had to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Following them, David Krejci buried the rebound to open the scoring. The Bruins displayed exceptional coordination.
Clifton also played 18:02 of ice time in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, his best performance in the playoffs.
He also scored his first NHL goal in Game 2 of the same game, a 6-2 rout of the Carolina Hurricanes. Similarly, he had previously logged 16:56 of ice time in Game 2 against Columbus.
It was a game with double overtime. Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins outlasted Clifton’s 19:28 of ice time, which included 19:02 at even strength.
Furthermore, Marcus Johansson assisted Connor Clifton in scoring his first NHL goal at the start of the second period.
He participated in 19 regular-season games for the Boston Bruins in the 2018–19 campaign. He averaged 17:42 of ice time per game, contributing to 22 shots on goal.
Net Worth and Income
Connor Clifton’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million in 2022. Which he earned primarily through his time as a professional ice hockey player in the NHL.
Clifton has also signed a three-year contract extension with the Boston Bruins worth $3 million. As a result, this extension will begin in 2020-21 and run through 2022-23.
Height, and Weight
Regarding his height, he stands 5 feet 11 inches (180.34 cm) and weighs around 80 kg (176.37 lbs.)
Relationship with Girlfriend
Connor is happily engaged to Amanda Thompson, his long-term girlfriend. In 2003, Clifton and Amanda first crossed paths in their sixth-grade homeroom.
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They shared countless classes together after that, and after a few years of developing a strong friendship, they began dating in 2009.
Clifton left for Michigan during his junior and senior years of high school to pursue his professional hockey dreams.
They did, however, continue to strengthen their relationship and friendship through countless Facetimes and visits.
Furthermore, after graduating from university, they both worked to further their careers, fully supporting each other’s ambitions.
In the middle of a pandemic in 2020, they got engaged after eleven years of dating. Additionally, they will wed on August 21, 2021.
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You may also read about Christian Harris
Social Media Presence:
Instagram: 18k followers
Twitter: 4,675 followers
FAQs
Do the brothers of Connor Clifton play hockey?
Yes, Tim and Corey Clifton, Connor Clifton’s brothers, play hockey as well.
Does Connor Clifton have any options?
The athlete, who is currently a member of the Boston Bruins, is not a free agent.
Who is the girlfriend of Connor Clifton?
Recently, Connor Clifton proposed to Amanda Thompson, his longtime girlfriend. Together, the pair is gorgeous.
Quick Facts :
Full Name | Connor Clifton |
Date of Birth | April 28, 1995 |
Birth Place | Long Branch, New Jersey, United States |
Nick Name | Cliffy, Cliffy Hockey |
Religion | Christian |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Horoscope | Taurus |
Age | 27 Years Old |
Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180.34 cm) |
Weight | 80 kg (176.37 lbs.) |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Eye Color | Brown |
Build | Athletic |
Father’s Name | Tim Clifton, Sr. |
Mother’s Name | Joan Clifton, known as Joanie |
Siblings | 2 (Tim Clifton Jr. and Corey Clifton) |
Education | High School: Christians Brothers Academy College: Quinnipiac University |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Relationship status | Engaged |
Girlfriend | Amanda Thompson |
Kids | None |
Profession | Ice Hockey Player |
Position | Defenseman |
Affiliation | National Hockey League (NHL) American Hockey League (AHL) |
Plays for | Boston Bruins |
Active since | 2009 |
NHL Debut | November 16, 2018 |
Contract with Boston Bruins | A 3-year contract worth $3 million |
Net Worth | $1 million |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
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