Connor Knapp
| Birthday: 1990-05-01 | Position: G |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Catches: Left |
| Drafted: 2009 | Height: 6-5 |
| Acquired: 6th round (164th overall), 2009 | Weight: 215 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2008-09: Connor Knapp and fellow freshman Cody Reichard shared the goaltending duties for Miami University (CCHA). In 23 games he was 13-5-3 with 2 shutouts and posted a 2.09 GAA and .904 save percentage. While Knapp firmly established himself as an NCAA goaltender, he struggled a bit at the end of the season and the RedHawks rode Reichard's hot hand to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game.
2009-10: Knapp and Reichard again split the goaltending chores for Miami in their sophomore seasons as the RedHawks captured the CCHA regular season title. While Reichard played more games, it was Knapp who had the hot hand in the NCAA tournament. In an epic two overtime win over CCHA rival Michigan in the Midwest Regional final, he stopped 55 of 57 shots as the RedHawks won 3-2 to advance to the Frozen Four. In 20 games, Knapp was 10-4-3 and had four of Miami's nine shutouts. He finished with a 1.97 GAA (both he and Reichard allowed less than two goals per game) and a .921 save percentage.
2010-11: Knapp put up impressive numbers playing in tandem with fellow junior Cody Reichard – though it was Reichard who got the call down the stretch as the RedHawks won their first-ever CCHA playoff championship. In 17 games, Knapp was 8-5-4 with 2 shutouts and had a 2.03 GAA with a .909 save percentage.
2011-12: In their final season playing together, Knapp and Reichard were once again strong in net for the RedHawks as seniors – with Knapp being named the CCHA's goaltender of the year after finishing 15-8 and posting a 1.69 goals against and .933 save percentage in 24 games. After an outstanding regular season, Knapp allowed just one goal in two games in the CCHA quarterfinals against Michigan State. His college career ended on a down note as he was in net for losses in both the CCHA semifinals (Western Michigan) and the NCAA East Regional semifinal (Massachusetts-Lowell). In the NCAA tournament game Lowell's Riley Wetmore shocked Miami with a goal 2:13 into overtime to end the RedHawks' season. Knapp signed a two-year entry-level contract with Buffalo in April, 2012.
2012-13: Knapp appeared in seven games with the Sabres' AHL affiliate in Rochester in his first pro season and played for the ECHL's Greenville Road Warriors. Backing up veteran David Leggio, who played in 64 of 68 games, Knapp was 1-6 with the Amerks and had a 3.34 goals against and .893 save percentage. Rochester finished second in the North Division and were swept by first place Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. Leggio and late season acquisition Matt Hackett handled the goaltending in the playoffs. Knapp was 5-7 and had a 3.05 goals against and .909 save percentage in 12 ECHL games. He started 4 of 5 playoff games for the Road Warriors and was 1-3 with a 2.71 goals against and .922 save percentage.
Talent Analysis
At 6’5", Knapp’s best asset is his large frame. He has good positioning and plays the angles well, which means he does not give shooters a lot to shoot at. A lack of quickness and mobility is preventing Knapp from reaching a higher level, but that is something that can be coached and developed.
Future
Knapp is in the final year of his two-year contract. Given the number of goaltenders in the Sabres' system, and the fact that Knapp has struggled so far in his pro career, he could find himself looking for a new team after the 2013-14 season.
