Colorado native Connor Szmul is headed back west.
The New Mexico Goatheads have invited the forward to training camp on a Professional Tryout (PTO), giving the second-year pro an opportunity to compete for a spot on the team’s inaugural roster.
Szmul heads to New Mexico after spending his first professional season with the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL. He recorded 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 42 regular-season games before adding two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 12 playoff appearances.
“Connor is a competitive, hard-working forward who plays with pace and makes smart decisions with the puck,” said Head Coach Zack Stortini. “He showed a lot in his first professional season, and we like the energy and compete level he brings every night. We’re looking forward to getting him into training camp and seeing him compete with our group.”
Prior to turning professional, Szmul played four seasons of NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He totaled 60 points (29 goals, 31 assists) in 103 games with the Blugolds, including a career-high 20 points during the 2022-23 season.
Szmul began his collegiate career at Long Island University in 2020-21 before transferring to Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Before college, Szmul spent three seasons in the NAHL with the Coulee Region Chill and Chippewa Steel, totaling 96 points (44 goals, 52 assists) in 163 games. His best season came in 2019-20, when he recorded 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) in 51 games while serving as an alternate captain for Chippewa.
The Colorado native will now head to New Mexico looking to earn a spot with the Goatheads when the team opens its inaugural training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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