Vegas Golden Knights fans were delighted to see hockey return to City National Arena. They got to see the players skate around, fire pucks around, and do the hockey thing. All that sounds jolly and dandy, right?
Well, one notable prospect wasn't around for the opening festivities. His name? Trevor Connelly.
Ryan Craig says Trevor Connelly is week to week.
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) September 11, 2025
If you recall, the touted prospect suffered a bad leg injury in July at the World Juniors Showcase. Initially, there was concern about Connelly's well-being and whether he'd play hockey this season. Now? Those fears have been confirmed, with Silver Knights head coach Ryan Craig confirming that he's out on a week-to-week basis.
On top of that, his status with attending Silver Knights camp is up in the air. He might be progressing as he actively works with the medical team. However, his absence is a major setback for a prospect looking to buck the trend of Golden Knights draft duds.
Is this something to be concerned about? Should fans worry about where the top prospect is headed in his career after working hard to redeem himself? Well, it's complicated. There are many layers to this setback that could hinder his career as a Golden Knights star.
With Trevor Connelly and the Vegas Golden Knights, it's become, well, complicated
It's difficult to say whether the 2024 first-round pick is destined for failure. First, he's 19 years old, so he still has time to develop as a hockey player. Some people might not think highly of his 2024-25 season with the Providence Friars (four goals and nine assists in 23 games). However, that doesn't excuse a productive (albeit controversial) amateur career.
That includes a stellar 2019-20 campaign with the San Diego Saints 14U AA club. Here, he scored 87 goals and 50 assists in 67 games, putting his name on the map as a productive winger. Even his brief stint with the Silver Knights last season was solid. He scored a goal and three assists in six games, marking a successful AHL tenure.
Second, nobody knows when or where injuries will strike. In fact, this is true in all sports. Sports fans have heard about the potential of Mark Prior before being hit with a wave of injuries. His misfortune was a small part of why the Chicago Cubs had to wait until 2016 to win their first World Series title in over a century.
Fortunately, Connelly has taken careful steps to ensure that he has learned from his harmful past. That included learning from rabbis while improving his game, which has elevated him as a person. Taking the next step means coming back from his leg injury and taking the reins with Henderson.
It's no secret that the Golden Knights haven't had much success with draft picks. Names such as Cody Glass and Brendan Brisson haven't panned out, leaving the franchise's farm system dry. If Connelly is to change the narrative, that means rebounding from this minor setback. But if there's one person who can do this, it's the native of Tustin, California.