Former Golden Griff Conacher signs with Norfolk

Courtesy of Canisius Athletic Communications

The most decorated player in the program’s history, 2011 graduate Cory Conacher (Burlington, Ontario) has joined the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL, the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Conacher finished his career with the Golden Griffin hockey program with 12 career, single-season and single-game records.

“Signing with Norfolk and getting the opportunity to go to the Tampa Bay Lightning camp is a dream come true,” Conacher said. “I plan on continuing to improve as I am now faced with a new coaching staff and a new set of teammates and I plan on learning a lot from them. I am really looking forward to my time with the Norfolk Admirals. Both the team and the organization are run so well and I am excited to prove that they have made a terrific decision.”

During his tenure at Canisius, Conacher enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the program’s history. A two-time all-conference selection and the 2009-10 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, he owns the program’s standards with 147 career points, 62 career goals and 12 career game-winning tallies.

“I learned so much from everybody at Canisius and I’d like to thank everyone that has helped me during my four years,” Conacher said. “I have to give credit to so many people for developing me into the person I am today. Coach Smith and Coach Mankowski gave me a tremendous opportunity to play for Canisius College and I thank them so much for everything that the two of them plus Coach Adams have taught me. My teammates at Canisius were one of a kind and I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without the help from them. “

A member of the 2010-11 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team, Conacher led the Griffs with 42 points, 23 goals, eight power-play tallies and four game-winners during his senior campaign. He became the first player in the program’s history with two seasons of 40-plus points and 20-plus goals, while his 23 scores are the most in the school’s record book.

The program’s all-time leading scorer also set school standards with 53 points and 33 assists during his junior campaign.

Conacher made his professional debut last season after finishing his collegiate career with the Golden Griffins. The forward scored one goal in two games with the Rochester Americans of the AHL before totaling seven points in only three games with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, which included his first professional hat trick and a four-point game. Conacher then finished the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, posting three goals and five points in five regular season games before notching an assist in seven Calder Cup Playoff games.