For home games during the 2017-18 season, the Carleton Place Canadians will be profiling one player from the team. This time, the profile is on Connor Hill.
Quick Bio
Birthdate: Feb. 3, 1997
Hometown: London, Ont.
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 191 lbs
Shoots: L
Position: F
After a strong rookie season that had him produce nearly a point-per-game, Hill is in his second year with the Canadians.
“It was definitely a big jump from prep hockey to junior,” he said. “Everyone’s bigger, I didn’t have as much of a size advantage over other people, so I had to learn how to play more of a junior game, be physical and really utilize my assets.”
Hill had the chance to discover what those assets were while playing for Ridley College, a prep school based in St. Catherines, Ont. He spent two seasons there and in his final season for Ridley, Hill had 22 goals and 13 assists in 33 games.
“It instilled the confidence in me to play at a higher level. I took a few years at Ridley College, and it’s considered a lower level of hockey but, it gave me playing time and time to work on stuff I needed like skating and more development into a more complete player.” Hill explained.
For the 2017-18 season, Hill said team expectations haven’t changed as a fifth straight Bogart Cup is the goal. He added his goal for the year is to continue developing and growing as a player.
While on the ice, Hill describes his play similar to a power-forward type of player.
“I have a physical advantage over a lot of players so I have to really use that and be strong along the board. I try to be good in the offensive zone to produce (points),” he continued.
Last season with the Canadians, his first in the CCHL, Hill played in 45 games and scored 19 goals while adding 21 assists for a 40-point season. He also had the chance to play for Team Canada East at the World Jr. A Challenge last season. He was part of a handful of his Carleton Place team-mates from last year and coach Jason Clarke who returned from the tournament with a silver medal.
Before joining the Canadians, Hill has committed to play at Niagara University when he moves on from junior hockey.
