Chris Conner

Chris Conner (born Christopher Ryan Conner on December 23, 1983) is an American professional ice hockey winger currently under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing Career
Undrafted, Chris played four seasons of collegiate hockey for Michigan Tech of the WCHA from 2002 to 2006.

After his senior year, Chris made his professional debut with the Iowa Stars of the AHL at the end of the 2005–06 season.

On July 13, 2006, Chris signed as a free agent to a two-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He was then assigned to affiliate Iowa for the start of the 2006–07 season, but upon being recalled, he scored his first NHL goal during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on December 27, 2006.

On March 12, 2008, Chris was re-signed by the Stars at the end of the 2007–08 season to a one-year deal.

After splitting the 2008–09 season between the Stars and the Peoria Rivermen, he signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 7, 2009.

Chris appeared in 60 games during the 2010–11 NHL season with Pittsburgh, scoring seven goals with nine assists. He scored the Penguins second goal in a 8-2 loss in Game 5 of Pittsburgh's first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Chris failed to convert on a penalty shot during the second period of the next game, losing the puck off his stick as he advanced towards Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Pittsburgh ultimately lost the series in seven games.

On July 7, 2011, Chris signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

In the following 2012–13 season, Chris signed with the Phoenix Coyotes on a one-year contract. With the lockout in affect, he was directly assigned to AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates.

Chris was recalled by the Coyotes to help their playoff push, appearing in 12 games to score 2 points before being returned to Portland before the end of their season.

On July 5, 2013, Chris signed a one-year, two-way contract to return with the Pittsburgh Penguins that will pay him $550,000 at the NHL level.

Personal Life
Chris attended Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan. He lived in the same neighbourhood as current Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler and the two of them grew up together playing hockey since childhood.