Wayne Connelly • Wayne Francis Connelly

Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Shoot: R
Born: 16 Dec 1939, Rouyn PQ

Regular Season & Playoff Scoring Record (key)

year	team	gp	g	a	pts	pim		gp	g	a	pts	pim
1972-73	Minnesota	78	40	30	70	16		5	1	3	4	0
1973-74	Minnesota	78	42	53	95	16		11	6	7	13	4
1974-75	Minnesota	76	38	33	71	16		12	8	4	12	10
1975-76	Minnesota	59	24	23	47	19
	Cleveland	12	5	2	7	4		3	1	0	1	2
	Totals (2 teams)	71	29	25	54	23
1976-77	Calgary	25	5	6	11	4
	Edmonton	38	13	15	28	18		5	0	1	1	0
	Totals (2 teams)	63	18	21	39	22
	Totals:	366	167	162	329	93		36	16	15	31	16

• Uncle of Gary Connelly.

Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1975-76 (by Dan Proudfoot) There was no place left for Wayne Connelly in the National Hockey League when he completed a rapid tour of Minnesota, Detroit, St. Louis and Vancouver franchises in 1972. He didn't catch on anywhere. New York Rangers had him briefly, too, for one day when they got him from St. Louis in one trade, and sent him on to Vancouver in another. "Beats me why," said Glen Sonmor, manager of the Minnesota Fighting Saints, "we have had him three years and he's averaged 40 goals every season. Last year, it was 38. He's as sharp around the net as any player I've seen."

Excerpts from Zander Hollander's Guide to Pro Hockey, 1975-76 (by Reyn Davis) Considered by some to be Minnesota's best all-around hockey player... His ability, however, tends to suffer in heavy contact games... Possesses a great shot which he unleashes in a hurry... Whisked away from Vancouver Canucks by Saints to become WHA's first signing in 1972... Wears cowboy boots... Tied Gary Gambucci as the team efficiency leader, +14... Scored 12 of his 38 goals on power plays... Lead team with six game winners.

Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1976-77 (by Dan Proudfoot) At this late moment in his career; 37-year-old Wayne Connelly must feel like a hired gun. He was another casualty of the Minnesota Fighting Saints' collapse, but he was picked up by the Cleveland Crusaders for the final 12 games of the season. He got five goals and two assists and then added another goal in Cleveland's brief playoff stint. Then, before he had much chance to contemplate the Crusaders' move to Hollywood, Fla., his old coach, Harry Neale, arranged for him to play at New England. Why? For his goals, of course. A shooter is always in demand, and Connelly was one of three WHA players who scored five goals in a single night in 1975-76 --- Handling all of the finishing touches in a 5-3 Minnesota win over Cincinnati Stingers.

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