Conor Garland

American ice hockey player (born 1996) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Conor Garland (born March 11, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Garland was drafted in the fifth round, 123rd overall, by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL entry draft, and has also played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks.

Born (1996-03-11) March 11, 1996 (age 30)
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Winger
Quick facts Born, Height ...
Conor Garland
Garland with the United States senior team in 2023
Born (1996-03-11) March 11, 1996 (age 30)
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Winger
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arizona Coyotes
Vancouver Canucks
National team  United States
NHL draft 123rd overall, 2015
Arizona Coyotes
Playing career 2016present
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Prior to turning professional, Garland played for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he was awarded the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as the QMJHL most valuable player and twice selected for the QMJHL First All-Star team. After a successful stint with the Coyotes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, he played parts of three NHL seasons before the Coyotes traded him to the Canucks. Following a four-and-a-half-season stint in Vancouver, Garland was then traded to Columbus.

Early life

Garland was born on March 11, 1996, in Scituate, Massachusetts,[1] to parents Bridget, a train station foreman, and Garry, who was a collegiate ice hockey player. He also has three sisters, two of whom played collegiate lacrosse.[2] Garland began skating at the age of four and attended skating clinics run by Michael Botticelli.[3]

Playing career

Youth

Growing up in Massachusetts, Garland played youth ice hockey with Boston Mission and Team Massachusetts.[4] He then attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's, a boarding school in Minnesota, where he recorded 116 points in 52 games.[1] At the age of 14, Garland was cut from their bantam team due to his height, and subsequently joined the Boston Junior Bruins of the Empire Junior Hockey League (EmJHL) for the 2011–12 season.[2] Following his first season with the Junior Bruins, in which he recorded 94 points in 40 games, Garland was drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft by the Moncton Wildcats.[5]

After beginning the 2012–13 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Garland moved to playing for the Wildcats in the QMJHL, foregoing his NCAA eligibility.[5][6]

Juniors

During the 2014–15 season, while playing with the Wildcats, Garland led both the QMJHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) with 129 points. He was named to the QMJHL First All-Star team, and was further honored when he was awarded the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as the QMJHL most valuable player.[7] Garland was then selected 123rd overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

Arizona Coyotes

Garland with the Arizona Coyotes in 2019

While in his final season of junior level with the Wildcats, Garland was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Coyotes on December 23, 2015.[8] Following the conclusion of the season, Garland was invited to participate in the Coyotes' 2016 development camp,[9] and remained in the state for the remainder of the off-season.[10] Following camp, Garland was reassigned to the Coyotes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, for the 2016–17 season.[11] He recorded his first professional goal on December 2, 2016, against the San Diego Gulls.[12]

After attending training camp, Garland was reassigned to the Roadrunners to begin the 2018–19 season. He led the team with 19 points before earning his first NHL call-up on December 3, 2018. His recall was due to his outstanding play at the AHL level and the belief that he minimized his bad habits from junior level and became a more complete player.[13] He made his NHL debut on December 8, in a 5–3 loss to the San Jose Sharks.[14] During his callup, he earned a top-line left-wing role alongside Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller.[13] Through his first 36 games with the Coyotes, Garland accumulated 12 goals and three assists for 15 points and 10 penalty minutes. He also tied for third on the team in goals and power-play goals. Having established a role within the Coyotes, adding 12 goals in 35 games, Garland was signed to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension on February 27, 2019.[15] Despite his offensive output, the Coyotes were eliminated from playoff contention on April 5.[16] He finished the season with 13 goals and five assists through 47 NHL games.[17]

During a game against the Calgary Flames, Garland suffered a lower-body injury when he collided with goaltender Cam Talbot.[18] On March 8, 2020, it was announced that Garland would be week-to-week with a lower-body injury. At the time of the injury, he led the team in goals and was tied third for points with 39.[19] He tallied 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points through 68 regular season games and set single-season career highs in games, goals, assists, points, game-winning goals and shots.[20] Six days following the injury, the NHL paused the season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Once they returned to play, Garland was healthy and rejoined the lineup.[21] On June 9, Garland was the Coyotes' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy as a "player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."[20]

During practice, Garland suffered another lower-body injury and was listed as week-to-week.[22] Upon returning from the injury, Garland tallied six points through three games to rank third on the team in scoring with 38 points.[23] During the 2020–NHL season, the Coyotes played the St. Louis Blues eight times. During the series, he played with Schmaltz and Keller on the Coyotes' "Short Leash Line" which combined for 21 points.[24] As the 2021 NHL expansion draft approached, Garland was one of seven forwards protected by the Coyotes.[25]

Vancouver Canucks

On July 23, 2021, Garland's restricted free agent signing rights were traded, along with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Jay Beagle, Loui Eriksson, Antoine Roussel, a 2021 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and a 2023 seventh-round pick.[26] Prior to the start of the 2021–22 season, Garland signed a five-year, $24.75 million contract extension with the Canucks.[27]

On July 1, 2025, on the first day he was eligible, Garland signed a six-year, $36 million contract extension with the Canucks.[28]

Columbus Blue Jackets

On March 6, 2026, Garland was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.[29]

International play

Quick facts Medal record, Representing the United States ...
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Garland represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded five goals and five assists in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933.[30]

Personal life

Garland and his wife, Meghan, have one child, born in 2024.[31]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2011–12 Boston Jr. Bruins EMJHL 4042529453 536914
2011–12 Boston Jr. Bruins EJHL 20002
2012–13 Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL 61232
2012–13 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 266111716 50000
2013–14 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 5124305439 62352
2014–15 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 67359412966 163222517
2015–16 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 62398912897 175101518
2016–17 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 55591437
2017–18 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 558192740 91456
2018–19 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 2112132522
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 471351812
2019–20 Arizona Coyotes NHL 6822173920 81120
2020–21 Arizona Coyotes NHL 4912273926
2021–22 Vancouver Canucks NHL 7719335236
2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 8117294631
2023–24 Vancouver Canucks NHL 8220274735 133252
2024–25 Vancouver Canucks NHL 8119315052
2025–26 Vancouver Canucks NHL 507192630
2025–26 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 215274
NHL totals 556134190323246 214372
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International

More information Year, Team ...
Year Team Event Result GPGAPtsPIM
2021 United States WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 1067136
2023 United States WC 4th 102680
2025 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10551014
Senior totals 3013183120
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Awards and honors

More information Award, Year ...
Award Year Ref
QMJHL
Jean Béliveau Trophy 2014–15, 2015–16 [32]
First All-Star team 2014–15, 2015–16 [33]
Michel Brière Memorial Trophy 2014–15 [34]
CHL Top Scorer Award (tied with Dylan Strome) 2014–15, 2015–16 [35]
International
World Championship All-Star Team 2021 [36]
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References

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