Connauton, a native of Edmonton, was taken by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (No. 83) in the 2009 NHL Draft after his freshman season at Western Michigan. He had been eligible to be drafted in 2008 but wasn't selected.

After being drafted in 2009, Connauton opted to play with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League and had a breakout season with 72 points (24 goals, 48 assists) in 69 games. He signed with the Canucks on April 28, 2010, and spent most of the next three seasons with Vancouver's affiliates in the American Hockey League before being traded to the Dallas Stars on April 2, 2013.

Connauton made his NHL debut with the Stars on Oct. 24, 2013, and played 44 games with them before being claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 18, 2014. He finished with 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 54 games with the Blue Jackets in 2014-15. Four of the goals were game-winners.

But Connauton was on the move again midway through the 2015-16 season; he was claimed on waivers by the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 13, 2016.

"It strengthens you mentally to get bounced around a little bit," Connauton said after joining the Coyotes. "Everyone kind of takes different journeys in the league. Some guys get the jersey on their draft day and never look back. Other guys have to carve your way through."

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WHL West First All-Star Team (2010)
• Canadian Major Junior All-Rookie Team (2010)
• Traded to Dallas by Vancouver with Vancouver's 2nd round pick (Philippe Desrosiers) in 2013 NHL Draft for Derek Roy, April 2, 2013.
• Claimed on waivers by Columbus from Dallas, November 18, 2014.
• Claimed on waivers by Arizona from Columbus, January 13, 2016.
• Traded to Colorado by Arizona with a 3rd-round pick in 2020 NHL Draft for Carl Soderberg, June 25, 2019.