Jack Connolly is the North American with the most games in the SHL.
But after this season, there won’t be any more – the 34-year-old will break his contract with Luleå and end his career.
– I have to re-prioritize for the sake of my family, Connolly says Norrbottens-Kuriren.
In 2012, Jack Connolly moved to Sweden to play in the Elitserien with Färjestad. Twelve years later, the American is still in the league and has managed to play over 500 games for Färjestad, Leksand, Rögle and Luleå.
Luleå has become Connolly’s club in Sweden as he is now in his sixth season in the association – but it will also be his last. The 34-year-old actually has a contract until 2025 but now announces that he is breaking the agreement and will end his career after this year’s season.
– I love everything about this club and the city. Playing here has been great and I’m really going to miss everyone, but I have to re-prioritize for the sake of my family,” Connolly told Norrbottens-Kuriren.
Hope for dream ending: “Not won gold yet”
Being away from his wife and two children has taken a toll on the American and his family, which is the big reason behind the decision to put the skates on the shelf for the spring. He will then move home to be with the family full time.
– It has been tough, says Connolly and continues:
– My wife has gone back and forth with them, but our eldest son is getting closer to school age, so it would have been even more time apart if I continued playing.
Since he moved to Sweden has Jack Connolly played a whopping 539 SHL games, which is the most ever by a North American in the league. His 273 points are also fourth best behind Ryan Lasch, Broc Little and Rhett Rakhshani.
In 2015, the American played for Rögle in the SHL, but otherwise he has two SM silver with Färjestad in 2014 and with Luleå in 2022. Now he hopes to have a dream end to his career.
– I haven’t won any gold yet, and the final loss two years ago was devastating, so it’s a new chance I’m hoping for and working for. In some matches it hasn’t looked good at all. But we’ve shown we can beat anyone at our best and I think anything is possible if we just make the play-offs,” Connolly told Norrbottens-Kuriren.
