Considering he's on target to become the first Bulldog in over 30 years to open his career with three straight 40-point seasons and that his name has appeared on the scoresheet in all but six of the University of Minnesota Duluth's 25 games this winter, Mike Connolly doesn't appear to have any glaring problems with consistency -- at least on the surface. But yet, that's precisely what the talented junior left winger lists as his hockey weakness and perhaps explains why his strength is his competitiveness. Since his arrival on the UMD campus in 2008, Connolly, an alternate team captain, has used this tenacity and drive to morph into one of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's top offensive guns as well as one of its most unheralded players (he has yet to secure any kind of all-league post season honor). Thus far in 2010-11, the Calgary, Alberta, product has racked up 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points while going a plus-12 for the No. 4 Bulldogs.
HIS FAVORITES
Opponent: Colorado College
Opponent Arena: Kohl Center (Wisconsin)
Road Trip: Madison, Wis.
Professional Athlete: Mike Fisher
Professional Team: Calgary Flames
College Course: Coaching Baseball
Pastime: Golf
Prized Possession: My red Dodge Dakota truck
Book (Author): Tough Guy: My Life on the Edge (Bob Probert)
Television Show: Californication
Actor/Actress: Vince Vaughn/Jessica Biel Movie: Notorious
Singer/Group: Kings of Leon
Food: Pork tenderloin
Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Video Game: Peggie Nights
Vacation Spot: Las Vegas
Web Site: tsn.ca
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: I had a few friends already on the team and I wanted to play in the WCHA.
First Played Competitive Hockey: Age 3
Hockey Strength/Weakness: My competitiveness/My consistency
Game Day Ritual: I take a nap
Most Memorable Hockey Moment: The 5-4 overtime win over Princeton in the 2009 NCAA West Regional semifinals
Best Player I've Ever Played Against: (Current Buffalo Sabre) Tyler Ennis
Pet Peeve: Bad manners
My First Job: Working at a hockey school
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Arthur Spooner (character from the TV show, “King of Queens”)
Biggest Fear: Snakes
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I hate red trucks
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd be 5'-11”
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Work hard and have fun!
Why I Wear No. 22: No. 20 was already taken
Influences on My Athletic Career: My parents
Sport I'd Like to Try But Never Have: Surfing
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My wallet
Post-UMD Plans: Keep playing hockey
