Golden Knights take forward Trevor Connelly with 2024 first round pick

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Vegas Golden Knights have selected forward Trevor Connelly with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Connelly, 18, is from Tustin, California, and has played left wing for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) the last two years.

In 109 career games with Tri-City, he posted 55 goals and 125 points. In his second season, he had 31 goals and finished second in the USHL with 78 points. He also won a silver medal with the United States U18 team at the World Junior Championship earlier this year.

While his skills are highly regarded, Connelly was a controversial prospect entering Friday's draft.

In 2022, he posted to Snapchat a photo of a teammate sitting in a children's library section with blocks assembled in the shape of a swastika. He apologized for the post and participated in diversity training and community service.

He was also accused of using a racial slur during a game in 2021, but he denied the allegation and a youth hockey association committee ruled that it could not be corroborated.

Speaking to ESPN after the pick, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the team was attracted to Connelly's talent and playmaking abilities.

McCrimmon acknowledged the off-ice issues but expressed confidence in Connelly.

"I can't speak for the other teams... I know that we certainly did our due diligence," he told ESPN. "We interviewed Trevor on two different occasions, as recently as a couple of days ago, and feel that he's gonna represent our organization in the way that we would expect."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.