Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today the club has signed North Bay area defenseman Connor Punnett to a three-year entry-level contract.
The contract will begin in the 2024-25 season.
Punnett, 20, has registered 50 points (9-41—50) in 59 regular-season contests for the Oshawa Generals and Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Among OHL defensemen, he ranks second in penalty minutes (108), is tied for seventh in assists (41), and ranks eighth in points (50).
In 25 games with Oshawa, the blueliner has recorded 19 points (5-14—19), 39 PIM and three power-play goals. He spent his first 34 regular-season games of the 2023-24 campaign with Barrie before being traded on Jan. 9. He served as the club’s captain and tallied 31 points (4-27—31). Over four seasons in the OHL, Punnett has amassed 115 points (30-85—115) and 324 PIM in 240 contests.
The Oshawa Generals defender grew up in Powassan and split his AAA minor hockey between the North Bay Trappers and North Central Predators. He also played four games with the Powassan Voodoos as an affiliate before being selected in the first round of the 2019 OHL priority selection, 19th overall, by the Saginaw Spirit.
In the summer of 2023, Punnett received an invitation to attend the Detroit Red Wings training camp last summer after going undrafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
See related: Punnett of to Red Wings camp
The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Powassan product has appeared twice in the postseason with Barrie, adding four points (1-3-4) in 15 games.
“Connor has been exactly what we expected when he joined the Generals,” says Derek Laxdall, Generals head coach, who worked for nine seasons with the Dallas Stars organization.
The 6’2 overager was named the 24th captain in Colts history and soon after he arrived in Oshawa, his leadership was evident.
“Connor has been a big part of our recent success with his style of play. We look forward to competing for a championship going forward under his leadership,” added Laxdal.
