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HomeSportsHart AttackHARTLEY MILLER’S HART ATTACK – (Manning and Connolly with different NHL roles)...

HARTLEY MILLER’S HART ATTACK – (Manning and Connolly with different NHL roles) December 9, 2016 EDITION 605

Brett Connolly was a first round (6th overall) NHL draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.

Brandon Manning was not selected in the NHL draft.

Both are Prince George minor hockey products and both are former Cariboo Cougars who played in the WHL at the same time.

The 24-year-old Connolly was a gifted sniper when he suited up with the Prince George Cougars (2008-11).

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In his final season of junior he scored a whopping 46 goals in 59 games.

The 26-year-old Manning was a hard-nosed defenceman when he patrolled the blue-line of the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins (2008-11).

In his final year of junior, Manning did average a point per game (53 in 53) but was more noted for his 129 penalty minutes in 53 games.

Because of his ability to put the puck in the net, many scouts felt Connolly was a near lock to be a prime NHL player.

On the other hand, Manning was a late bloomer, who was considered as a grinding physical journeyman that may have a future as a minor pro.

Fast forward to today, more than 5 ½ years since they last played major junior.

Connolly has been bounced around and is on his third NHL team having gone from Tampa Bay to Boston to Washington.

When he is not on the Capitals 4th line, Connolly is a healthy scratch including a pair of wins this week (Monday against Buffalo and Wednesday against Boston).

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In 15 games this season with the Caps, he has two goals and one assist and is minus one.

According to capfriendly.com, Connolly is on a one-year contract with Washington for $850,000.

Making this much money is commendable but it’s a far cry from where many insiders had projected him to be.

Manning was originally signed by the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent in November, 2010.

He paid his dues playing four seasons with the Flyers top AHL farm club.

Perseverance has paid off as Manning is now a regular on the Flyers blue-line.

Last night (Thursday) as an example, his time on the ice was 16:49 with 26 shifts in the 6-5 triumph over Edmonton.

In 25 games this season he has three goals, six assists, 20 penalty minutes and is even in the plus-minus department. (He missed three games last week with a concussion)

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This past summer Manning signed a two-year deal with Philadelphia for nearly two-million dollars (cap hit of $975,00 per season).

To be fair, Connolly has played twice as many NHL games as Manning (225 to 102) but his minutes have
been limited in many of them.

He’s been given every opportunity to succeed in part because he was a high first round pick.

This is just another example of how difficult it is to project what a teenager will be like in his prime.

Nearly every hockey fan can recognize the greatness of a Connor McDavid or a Sidney Crosby but franchise type of players only come along once or twice in a decade.

There is still time for Connolly to live up to the hype but it doesn’t look promising when one has become a fringe player.

Manning keeps getting better and better.

His attitude, drive, passion and tenacity have landed him a solid spot on the Flyers back end.

Although they took different paths, both of these Prince George players can proudly boast that they made it but it appears the overlooked one has the brighter future.

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From the Quote Rack:

Wayne Gretzky says he wants future son-in-law Dustin Johnson to ‘be more like Tiger Woods’. Wayne then took a nine iron to Dustin’s car.

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

The Orioles GM said the team is not pursuing Jose Bautista because Baltimore “fans don’t like him.” Well, that and maybe Bautista’s .234 batting average this year.

Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton was benched for their first series against Seattle Sunday night because he violated club dress code rules by not wearing a tie. Ex NFL QB Donovan McNabb said, “What? Ties are involved in NFL games!”

Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/

The 0-12 Cleveland Brows had last weekend off. Las Vegas oddsmakers had the Browns vs. Bye as too close to call.

Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg

And in case you missed it:

Joe Thomas, a 55-year-old running back at South Carolina State, became the oldest to ever play in a Division I game. His unofficial stats: 1 carry; 3 yards gained; 2 dentures lost.

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com

Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat.

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He also is the 94.3 radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.

His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.

Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]

Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller

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