Top 10 Moments: Hvidston Sets Franchise Records With His Goal On Fan Appreciation Night

May 1, 2023

By Paige Burnell/SanDiegoGulls.com

With the 2022-23 season in the books, SanDiegoGulls.com looks back at some of the biggest moments, from individual highlights to impressive theme nights and more. Today we continue our Top-10 Moments series, spotlighting left wing Connor Hvidston.

Connor Hvidston became the youngest Gull in club history to both earn a point (previous: Olen Zellweger; 18 years, 7 months and 24 days) and to score a goal (previous: Mason McTavish 18 years, 8 months, 30 days) at 18 years, 6 months and 28 days during the team’s last home game of the regular season against the Calgary Wranglers on Apr. 8, 2023.

Hviston charged up the ice, picking up the puck as it deflected off the boards across the right circle. The rookie then lifted the puck and sniped it under the left elbow of Wranglers goaltender Oscar Dansk.

 

 

Signed to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) on May 20, 2023, Hvidston made his American Hockey League debut on Apr. 1, 2023 against the Iowa Wild, also becoming the youngest Gull to appear in a game at 18 years, 6 months and 21 days (previous: Olen Zellweger; 18 years, 7 months and 24 days).

"I thought he was good," former Gulls head coach Roy Sommer said of Hvidston following his debut. "You know, he made some plays and was in the right spots. Didn't see a whole lot of ice time - no special teams - but they got a regular shift and he did what he was supposed to do."

Selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Tisdale, Saskatchewan native recorded 1-0=1 points with an even rating in seven games with the Gulls this season.

In addition, Hvidston also appeared in 117 career Western Hockey League (WHL) games with the Swift Current Broncos, recording 34-63=97 points with a +10 rating and 48 penalty minutes (PIM). The 6-2, 194-pound left wing recorded career highs in points (21-44=65), goals, shorthanded goals (3), plus/minus (+15) and appearances (59) in 2022-23 with Swift Current. Among team leaders, Hvidston led in shorthanded goals, ranked second in points-per-game (1.10), assists and plus/minus, and third in points.

Hvisdston more than doubled his point output this season after he was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 after earning 13-19=32 points with 14 PIM in 58 games. He also represented Canada at the 2022 U-18 World Championship, scoring 1-1=2 points in four tournament games.