OHL Prospect Profile: Connor Lockhart

Connor Lockhart should be considered one of the premier goal-scorers in the 2019 OHL Draft class. With an electric release and separation speed, Lockhart is the total package, and is projected as a top-10 pick.

– Connor Lockhart –

Kanata Lasers (HEO) | Center | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible

Kanata, Ontario | January 21st, 2003 | 5-foot-9, 165 pounds

Connor Lockhart is an immensely talented offensive center who can dictate the pace of play and turn the game on its head with a flash of speed and skill. During his Bantam season with the Ottawa Jr. Senators, Lockhart put up a ridiculous 50 goals and 76 points over 30 games. He has led his league in goals over both of the past two seasons.

Related: Check out our 2019 OHL Draft Ranking: October Top-20

Now in his OHL Draft eligible year, Lockhart is suiting up for the Kanata Lasers in the HEO Midget league, comprised of ’02 and ’03 born players. Through 12 games, he is just starting to find his stride and has added seven goals and 15 points along the way. Overall, Lockhart is a complete offensive package, with unparalleled scoring abilities, tremendous puck skills, and separation speed to boot.

Strengths:

  • Shot
  • Puck Skills
  • Skating

Connor Lockhart is a natural goal scorer, through and through. He has an elite release that generates power behind his shot and can be unleashed in tight, through traffic, and in any position. Lockhart is able to change shooting angles and quickly fire an accurate shot on net that catches goaltenders in transition. He also has outstanding puck skills, with the ability to make defenders look silly on a regular basis.

Lockhart often looks like he has the puck on a string, and can dangle his way out of trouble and through opponents with ease. Further, his skating level is off the charts, with impressive top speeds and excellent agility. Lockhart utilizes his edges to keep defenders on their toes and can cut in and out of the slot with the blink of an eye. Up front, Lockhart has all the imperative tools to find success at the junior and professional levels.

Area of Improvement:

  • Physicality and Strength

As a modestly sized center, Lockhart will need to add some serious muscle in order to compete and thrive against bigger and stronger opponents in the OHL. Thus far in the HEO, he has been able to let his offensive instincts take over against opponents that are a year older, but he is sometimes knocked off of the puck or out-battled along the wall for a loose puck.

While his strengths will always make him a dangerous offensive force, Lockhart would take another step and become exponentially more dynamic by adding some muscle for the next level, or else he may have to project as a future winger as a result. For the time being, this area isn’t going to hinder his success, but it’s a thought for the future.

Future Potential:

All in all, Connor Lockhart is an electric player with game-breaking skills. He checks off all the boxes as far as his offensive game is concerned, and will continue to battle with Mason McTavish for the right to be the HEO’s top 2019 OHL Draft prospect. Lockhart also possesses underrated playmaking skills, and combines a tremendous and efficient stride with a profound pair of hands to be an offensive threat each and every shift.

Regarded as one of the most potent goal scorers available in this year’s draft class, Lockhart currently projects as a top-10 pick for the 2019 OHL Draft, with room to improve as he adapts to the Midget level throughout the season.

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