Conniff was everywhere for the Hilltoppers defensively in this game. At 6’3″, his presence on the field is noticeable, and he uses that to his advantage with his lower-body strength and instincts on and off the ball. He’s a smart player with good stick skills on the clear and has a knack for the ball in passing lanes with an active stick. I counted at least three deflections he had to cause a ground ball scrum and limit the opponent’s offensive rhythm, leading to a caused turnover. The Providence commit uses his large frame when boxing out for ground balls and getting physical at the point of attack with his stick out in front and breaking down to deter opponents. Conniff is a big part of the three-headed monster Summit has playing close defense for them, and with his experience and talent level, teams will have to find ways to steer clear of him.

Although Conniff may not be one to throw many flashy takeaway checks, he’s sensational at helping end possessions and getting teams out of their offensive rhythm. Tall and rangy at 6’3, I’d like to see him get to 200 pounds between now and his college career, but he’s still a force with his sheer strength and size. On top of that, he’s got an awesome stick. Another hockey player, Conniff frequently gets his stick on passes and does a nice job of getting the ball off the ground and rolling away from pressure. Part of a strong ’26 class for the Kirst Cup champions, he’s a great decision-maker with the ball in his stick, but even more, he’s really intelligent as an off-ball defender and looks primed to serve as the glue for a defense at the next level.