Connor Hughes at the Laval Rocket: professional “job stealer”

When he arrived in Laval after seven seasons in the Swiss National League, Connor Hughes did not come to play the tourists and second fiddle behind goalkeeper Jakub Dobes for the Rocket. No, he is trying to seize possibly the only chance he will have in his career in North America, that of establishing himself as a starting goalie and making his way to the National Hockey League (NHL). And as he did in Europe, he must take his place and grab the net.

• Also read: A rapid and successful adaptation for Connor Hughes at the Laval Rocket
• Also read: “I never thought he would make it here” – David Desharnais on Connor Hughes with the Rocket and the Canadiens

“He has often been the auxiliary in his career and he has stolen number one goalkeeper jobs because of his performances,” says head coach Pascal Vincent from the outset about his 28-year-old goalkeeper who has stood out since the start of the season in the American League.

“He didn’t come here to stay as an auxiliary all his life,” he adds, saying he appreciates his work, his attitude and his aggressiveness in front of the net. “He has a goal in mind and we like that. We have good internal competition. In his head, he’s out to steal jobs and he’s doing it the right way. I completely agree with that.”

In this way, Vincent illustrates the reality of professional hockey. Regardless of contracts and statuses, performance takes precedence.

With Dobes on the floor at the Rocket, Hughes gets a golden chance to stand out as he has done since his arrival in Laval.

While remaining respectful to his teammate, Hughes agrees that professional hockey is a sport of opportunity in its time. He is in Laval to excel in front of the net. And while Dobes is nursing an injury that wouldn’t keep him out of action for too long, he takes up his post.

Path in Switzerland

“In this sport, if you get a good opportunity, you better make the most of it, because some people don’t get it and maybe never will,” he maintains.

“I have been fortunate in my career and I am very grateful for that. I got chances, I reported myself and so far it’s working.”

Flashback to when Hughes left the Ontario minor leagues and settled in Switzerland at the dawn of the 2017-2018 campaign in the worst team in the Swiss league, formerly called National League B. He survived Ticino before moving to Langenthal, where he performed well.

Enough to attract the attention of HC Fribourg-Gottéron and become the auxiliary of Reto Berra, formerly of the Anaheim Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche.

He made his niche there for two seasons before taking over from Berra, who was injured in 2022-2023. He took the opportunity to post an excellent performance of 2.32 goals allowed per match and an efficiency of .907, which placed him among the leaders of the best Swiss circuit.

Towards the final

And Lausanne HC then invited him, in 2023-2024, to share the net with Kevin Pasche, whom he surpassed in his 19 season games and in the playoffs. He took his club to the seventh and final match in the final against the Zurich Lions. Without lifting the cup, however, he posted an efficiency of .920.

Under the warm recommendations of his scouts, his advisors and specialized coaches, as reported in June by colleague Marc Antoine Godin, of -, the CH therefore gave him a chance by bringing him to Laval with a contract of one year. He would thus form a good duo with Dobes.

In fact, until he surpasses him during his good outings and thus advances in his mission to establish himself as number one goalkeeper from nowhere.

“It’s certain that before, people knew Dobes and didn’t know Connor,” says Vincent. But there, he is emerging from the shadows.”