| Connor Kurth | Dubuque Fighting Saints | USHL | R | F | 5’11” | 214 | Minnesota | 2022 | Elk River, MN | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
USHL: Madison vs Dubuque, February 23, 2022: So agile for his size. At his top speed I don’t think anyone on the ice is catching him. He’s able to make quick moves that take defenders and goalies completely by surprise. He hunts pucks well in the corners. He’s always playing at a fast pace, his energy is electric and it goes well with his ability to get to the net. His hands are quick and showed this in small area situations he can stickhandle out of it and on the goalie get the puck in tight. A-
USHL: Weekend #4, October 27, 2021: Built forward who has really good size and can move quickly. Hes faster than he looks. He’s so skilled with the puck and light on his feet and he can catch sleepy defenders off guard. He understands that his speed is one of his best attributes and will take defenders wide and watch their skates while doing it. He’s good at realizing right when they turn their hips and that’s where he makes his move. Scored a nice goal being athletic like this. Grade: A-
USHL: Biosteel All American Game, April 12, 2021: Kurth had a solid game despite not registering any points. He looked to create offence in transition and did a good job of taking advantage of opportunities to take the puck hard to the net. The Minnesota commit was patient in the neutral zone and anticipated passes to create turnovers. He would immediately look to create an offensive rush off these turnovers and did this on at least three occasions. In the offensive zone, he played with his head up and always looked to make plays towards the net. He used his strength to win space and protect the puck, further allowing him to force the puck into traffic in front. Kurth can also make plays in space, showing good vision on the rush and finding seams on the attack to change the point of attack. Overall, he played a solid game and was able to create some quality scoring opportunities. Grade: A-
USHL: Waterloo vs Dubuque, January 29, 2021: Kurth was effective generating offense for the Fighting Saints in this game scoring one goal on five shots on net. The Minnesoata commit has good one on one skills, which he showed early in the game when he made a great inside to outside move to walk the defenseman and go in alone on net. He followed this play up with a goal just a few minutes later. On the goal Kurth jumped on a loose puck in the high slot, made a nice move to create space, and then slid the puck on net where it found its way in. He was most effective on the rush in this game, doing a good job of getting shots on net with his feet moving. Overall, Kurth has good skill, isn’t afraid to try defenders one on one, and does a great job of shooting the puck hard and quick on the rush. Grade: B+
USHL: Dubuque vs Youngstown, November 2020 (Ian Moran): Connor was strong, powerful and showed a relentless motor while competing for loose pucks in all three zones. In the offensive zone he fought through contact while cycling and showed a goal score’s offensive instincts when finding the soft area of the high slot to avoid coverage. As a puck carrier he played with pace through the neutral zone and it was obvious that the opponent’s defenseman would rather give up the defensive blueline for easy zone entry rather than be beat wide by Connor’s speed. In the second period he smartly delayed as the wide guy on a line rush which left him wide open for a shot that the goalie made a nice glove save on. In the defensive zone Connor maintained defensive side positioning while battling to clear shooting lanes and used his strength to limit rebound opportunities. There were a few times that he got trapped along the wall during 50/50 scrums, but we feel this is something he will adapt to as he continues his rookie season. In a 5-3 loss Connor finished the game with zeroes in the stat column and zero plus/minus.
USHL: Dubuque vs Muskegon, November 2020: Kurth was the most effective player on the ice for the Fighting Saints in this contest. Kurth had a hat trick in this game and had a few other high quality chances that very well could’ve added to that goal total. He displayed great hockey sense, especially around the net and in the scoring areas. Kurth had a nose for the net and was always dangerous, but it wasn’t because he was flashy or fancy, he just consistently put himself in positions to be successful. Overall, Kurth was the best player for Dubuque in this game and really stood out from start to finish. Grade: A
NAPHL U16 Dixon Cup Playoffs, February 2020: Connor very skilled player with size, quick hands, with strong edges and the ability to play at a fast pace game. He works very well with his linemates as they know where each other is on the ice. He has a quick release as he scored 12 goals on the weekend and has his head up when he shoots and 11 assists as he will set up his teammates as well. Very effective on the power play as he moves his feet quickly and the puck as he gets in the open passing lanes. He has a strong stride as he will protect the puck and drive to the net. He played through the physical and chirping in the final game as Florida was all over him trying to get him off his game.
NAPHL U16 & U18 All Star Games, January 2020: Connor had a huge game and it started early as he scored to put his team up 1-0. He ended up with a hat trick as he added 2 more goals on breakaways. His smooth hands allowed him to go to the backhand on both of them and put them away. He is a strong skater and was always under control with the puck. His ability to handle the puck in tight to his body and make skilled plays was very evident. He is having a huge year in the NAPHL with 3.5 ppg thus far.
Notre Dame U16 Shootout, December 2019: Kurth plays like a beast, plain and simple. He is so intense and aggressive and with his size and speed combo it makes him all the more menacing and effective. He is a powerful skater and very strong with the puck on his stick. He drives the net hard and is a bull in below the dots in the offensive zone. Great on the rush with the puck and can absolutely beat defenders one-on-one in more ways than one. Equally impressive is his defensive effort. He puts forth the same energy on the other side of the puck and even saved an almost certain goal on a breakaway all without taking a penalty. Very strong defensive to go with his offensive effort. Awesome two-way, power forward type game. Grade: A