Before the 2024-25 season starts, Mount Carmel senior defenseman Conor McClelland already has a long-running goal for the Caravan: “to help lead my team to a Kennedy Cup championship.”
The Caravan has won a record 20 Kennedy Cup championships as the top team in the Chicago Catholic Hockey League, but their last title was in 2000.
“We can be a dominant team if we do all the right things,” said McClelland, 17, who lives in Chicago and is set for his third varsity season. “We (have been) working hard all off-season and are ready to go. We are going to be gritty and definitely can make a run for the Kennedy Cup.”
McClelland, who played his youth career for the St. Jude Knights, is recipient of the school’s “Order of the C,” a Mt. Carmel leadership award. His hockey highlight to date was during a game against Benet Academy when he scored a clutch goal to tie the game.
“I am a two-way defenseman who stays at home when I need to, but I’m not scared to play aggressively and join the rush,” he said. “(The) biggest influence on my career is my dad. He pushes me to keep working hard no matter the circumstances. He motivates me to be the best player I can be.”
McClelland is driven to be a CCHL All-Star this season.
He also is an accomplished golfer, a sport he has played since he was 8.
“We are going to be a solid (golf) team which has depth all around the roster. We should be able to make a good run at state,” said McClelland who, in 2023, played in one match which he won. He was, though, injured and by the time he recovered the season was over.
“I like to play aggressively. I attack the pin on all my shots.”
McClelland added: “Golf has done a lot for me regarding hockey because when I think of golf, I know you have to be patient. I have to think about everything and just trust the process. Trusting the process also relates to hockey because we were not a great team over the past two years, but I trusted the process and things are looking bright for our team.”
In addition to playing, he also is a caddie – and is the No. 3 caddie at his club and has a total of 67 loops this summer.
“Being a caddie is the best job a kid can have. It helps with communication skills and shows you what you can have in life if you work hard enough you can enjoy the great things in life that these golfers have,” he said. “My favorite caddying story is I was on (hole) 17, a short par 3. It was 125 (yards) to the pin and one of the golfers made a hole in one … everyone went crazy. It was a lot of fun to see.”
Being a caddie helps his hockey, too. “You have to be a good communicator while you caddie and that relates to hockey because I have to communicate with my teammates,” he said.
Also away from the rink, McClelland enjoys playing pickleball.
SLAPSHOTS WITH … Mount Carmel defenseman Conor McClelland
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Artemi Panarin
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Dodgeball
Favorite TV Show: Suits
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Ground chicken
Favorite app: Instagram
Long-term Goal: “I would like to play college golf.”
Favorite Golfer: Bryson Dechambeau.
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Adam Sandler
Best Hockey Tip: “Be patient with the puck.” – From a youth-level coach.
Best HS uniform (other than Mount Carmel): Providence