Height: 6’2”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: August 7, 2000

Hometown: Beeton, Ontario

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

OHL Draft: Round 2, 21^st overall, 2016 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting pre-season: C Prospect

NHL Central Scouting mid-term: 96th overall, North American Skaters

NHL Central Scouting final rank: Not available at present

Windsor Spitfires’ blueliner Connor Corcoran played his minor midget hockey during the 2015-2016 season with the Barrie Colts. In 32 games, Corcoran scored twice and added eight assists. But it was at the OHL Cup where he showed excellent offensive abilities when he scored two goals, along with three assists in four games.

The Spitfires used the first pick of the second round to select Corcoran and the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, making him the twenty-first overall pick.

OHL Central Scouting filed this report on Corcoran prior to the draft:

Connor has played both defense and forward for his team this season. He is a good skater with good mobility and puck skills which allow him to carry the puck from the back end and beat forecheckers. Connor is strong along the boards at both ends of the rink and uses his physical size to his advantage. Connor’s versatility will be a big asset for him moving forward in his hockey career. 

Corcoran made his OHL debut last season with the Spitfires. Appearing in 59 games, he scored 5 goals and added 5 assists. He also represented Canada at the World Hockey Challenge Under-17, winning a silver medal with Canada Black.

Corcoran began the season playing on the bottom pair, but as the Spitfires moved out some veteran defenders, his ice time climbed, and he played a key role on the blueline. He finished the season with 3 goals and 21 assists in 63 games and added another goal and 2 assists in 6 playoff games.  He finished seventh among draft eligible defencemen in scoring.

Corcoran is a two-way defender who is a very good skater with excellent straight-line speed and very good mobility. Defensively, he closes his gaps extremely well. His speed and mobility allow him to keep players wide. He has good size and doesn’t shy away from the physical game and plays the body well to separate the opposition from the puck.

Corcoran plays calm in his zone and does not buckle under pressure. He can beat the forecheck with his skating or make a good first pass out of the zone. He makes quick, decisive decisions and shows to have a high hockey IQ.

Offensively, Corcoran uses those same smarts. Having played forward previously, he knows how a forward thinks the game. He is very good at keeping possession and with a high ability to see the ice, uses strong passing abilities to set up teammates. He can get his shot through from the point and can shoot with a purpose.

Stat page of Connor Corcoran from Elite Prospects