After a slow start, Ryan Conmy has found his stride with his new team at Boston College
Seven months ago, LA Kings prospect Ryan Conmy had a decision to make: return to the University of New Hampshire for his junior year or transfer. Ultimately, he transferred and landed at Boston College, staying in the Hockey East conference.
When the opportunity presented itself, it was one Conmy knew he couldn’t pass up.
“Having the chance to come play at Boston College was really hard to pass up, with the history that they’ve had here,” Conmy said. “Being able to have that opportunity was really exciting. Everyone has been awesome, accepting me like I’ve been here for three years as a junior. I’m super excited for things to keep rolling and continue to build as a team, and reach the end goal of playing in April in Vegas at the Frozen Four.”
Having seen Conmy play when New Hampshire would play Boston College for the previous two seasons, Conmy’s new head coach, Greg Brown, immediately knew he would be a fit in the team’s lineup, making him the team’s top priority once he entered the transfer portal.
“He was very effective against us when he was in New Hampshire. We knew he would fit in well in our lineup,” Brown said. “He has a lot of attributes that a team needs to compete. He’s got a great release on his shot. He’s got great instincts to get open and get his shot off. All those things are attributes that every team needs. He tries hard on both ends of the ice, and his skill set has made it evident that he is going to help us on the offensive side as well.”
Conmy, being a player who likes to play offense, but also takes pride in the defensive aspect of the game, knows his game also fits well into Boston College’s lineup.
“I’m an offensive player. I like to create offense and score goals. That’s a real fun part of the game, but I take pride in the defensive side and the little details that it takes to obviously get the puck on my stick”, Conmy said.
With it being a match made in heaven, Brown pencilled Conmy on the top line with James Hagens and Teddy Stiga on opening night. However, things didn’t start well as Boston College lost four of its first seven games.
For Conmy himself, he recorded two goals in those games and the first nine overall.
Brown broke the trio up, trying to figure out what lineup works best for the team, but it also had nothing to do with how Conmy played. He wasn’t playing badly, per se. Playing in a new environment for a new coach, with new teammates, a new structure, and dealing with a nagging injury all factored into the equation for the slow start.
“He was a little dinged up from the preseason. That and along with being in a new location, a new school, new linemates and teammates, and learning what everyone’s tendencies are. So, you put all that together, and it wasn’t that he was playing badly; he just wasn’t getting on the score sheet. Last four or five games, he’s really been able to impact the game offensively as well,” Brown said of Conmy’s slow start.
That slow start looks to be in the rearview mirror. Conmy is healthier now than he was a few weeks ago, according to Brown, and recorded seven points (4 G, 3 A) in his last four games, including back-to-back three-point games against the University of Massachusetts and the University of Vermont.
Conmy didn’t want to make excuses for his slow start, noting that players always go through rough patches and ups and downs in their careers, and while the offensive production looks like it will be coming around, the 21-year-old isn’t too focused on his points. Instead, he credited the team playing well for his recent success.
“Those things happen. I’m not too focused on the points, but having fun, and when the team is doing well, all of that stuff comes together,” Conmy stated. “I think we’ve been clicking here the last few weeks, and I think playing a lot of fun hockey, so I’m super excited to keep that rolling here through Christmas.”
Even with the slow start, Conmy’s role from his time at New Hampshire hasn’t changed.
He’s being deployed in offensive situations and has seen time on both the power play and penalty kill, which can be credited to his skill set and hockey IQ. He also currently leads the team in power-play with three.
“We don’t want to overload him, but he’s done a great job on both special teams,” Brown said of Conmy having an impact on both special teams. “He’s got a good hockey IQ. He can read plays both on the defensive side and the offensive side, and then he’s got the skill set to be able to execute when he puts himself in those good positions.”
Conmy, for his part, appreciates the opportunity to play in all situations.
Whether it’s power play, penalty kill or 5-on-5, he’s in for whatever helps the group.
“Whenever [the team] needs me is kind of how I’m rolling. It’s a new team. I’m still learning how we kill penalties here, but when my name is called, I’ll be ready to go,” Conmy said of his role on the penalty kill.
Knowing his role and how his game fits into the Boston College lineup, Conmy also knows that he has his work cut out for him if he wants to make it to the NHL.
Being a sixth-round pick in 2023, the odds of those selections and being undersized at 5-foot-10 are hurdles a player like Conmy will have to overcome, but he doesn’t seem to be phased by it. He knows showing up to work every day is the first step in doing so.
“The will and hard work. It’s easy to say that, but that’s really what’s going to come down to. I think I’m a little bit undersized,” Conmy said on what it would take for him to make the NHL. “First, being able to just show up and work every day and really be able to take a lot from some older guys that I might come across in the future and be able to learn little things, is something that I can really take advantage of. Also, being able to be a teachable player is something that is going to help me in the future.”
As for his plans on finishing school or turning pro within the next two years is not something at the forefront of Conmy’s mind. Helping Boston College win is rather than worrying on what lies ahead two years from now.
“I’m just focused on this year. Obviously, whatever happens, happens. I’m super happy to be here at BC,” Conmy said.