We are continuing this multiple part series of interviews with Dragon players. Today we caught up Dragon forward Dennis Connors. While the questions may seem similar to ones his brother Mike was asked, the answers couldn�t be more different. Here�s what the ubiquitous Connors brother had to say.

 

Name: Dennis Connors

Age: 33 
Position: forward
Left or Right Handed: right

Background:

Grew up in measly ol' East Hartford, Ct under a well provided roof over my head and food to keep me going. The skinny bony body I had kept me in lightning speed on the tennis courts where I mastered the game of hockey, and made me the stellar performer I am now. I have recently made my home in Vernon, where I am now juggling my time between three hockey teams, a full time accounting (yawn) career, and the enjoyment of the single lifestyle in my shag-pad.

 

(SI) Dennis thanks for spending some time with the readers, you came to the Dragons from a more storied and by all accounts legendary team. How was the transition from the EH Kings to the Dragons?
(DC) Well Dave, I found the transition to be one of confusion at first.  Since the Kings have played together for numerous years, everyone knew where everyone would be and we clicked out there on the rink.  When coming to the Dragons, there was a time span to get to learn where fellow teammates would be and how they play.  I think a quote was used once that I had a "big head" (not mentioning any names... Dough!!"), but I would think that was because I had trouble finding open teammates to pass it to everytime I looked up.   I had to experience the Dragon game play to gain knowledge and recognition on teammates positions and talents. 

 

(SI) Favorite Movie?

(DC) That's a tough one...  There are a couple that come to mind, it just depends on what mood I'm in at that time.  So I'll have to say Goodfellas and Jaws.  I say Jaws because I can relate to the entire film location of Martha's Vineyard. But most of all, my favorite has to be the first and only 8 minutes ever made of 'King Park - The Movie', which was directed and produced by the most brilliant creators in the world, who will now never be recognized for their creativity due to a faulty hard drive (sigh). 

 

(SI) What is the East Hartford Mafia and how did it come to be?

(DC) To be honest with you Dave, I have no clue.  I never called anyone that, but assume that whoever did come up with that name, it consists of the Irish / ex-EH King players of my brother and myself, and the recently added player, Joe Morrissey.

 

(SI) You are one of the only single guys on the team, how is it that you don't have groupies attending your games?

(DC) Dave, after many years of being hounded in, out and all around the rink, I currently have Secret Service present at all game sites hours before I arrive to make sure that I can focus on the game without any distractions.  When on the dek, I'm a team player.  Outside of the dek, I can focus my game play on many goddesses every night, currently on pace to surpass Wilt Chamberlain's status.  But I want all my young fans out there to remember one thing, I ALWAYS practice safe sex!!!

 

(SI) What is your most memorable hockey (playing) moment (it does not have to be a Dragon moment)?

(DC) I'd have to say the EH Kings championship game over the infamous, but dreaded Franks Willow Inn team.  We won in triple OT, and even though I was not on the rink at that time, I remember yelling as loud as I could to Rob Carter to shoot from the long distance he was at, and sure enough, it was the deciding goal in our trophy run series. 

 

(SI) Your hockey playing days go back to the outdoor Bloomfield rink and through many of the CT rinks, how do they rate with one another?   

(DC) I'd have to say that the management at Plainville seems to be well run, and the dek kept up rather well.  Glastonbury's Z-rink may look pretty, but still has some quirks to work out before they can move up in my books.  Then again, for dek hockey, Plainville is the perfect size for the "offsides rule".

 

(SI) A number of current Dragons have ties back to Bloomfield do you remember playing aginst any of them?

(DC) uhhh....  I cant say that I do.  I was only 17 when I was in Bloomfield, and was just glad to play back then.  Do they remember me?

 

(SI) Hockey Role Model   

(DC) For "professional"?  Blaine Stoughton (hence my nickname), because I became a "sniper" myself lighting up the goal light hundreds of times.   For "non-pro"?  As I said at his wedding in front of hundreds, and I'll say it again, I thank my brother for introducing me to the game and putting up with me when I was a little runt.  He and his friends always said that they didn't have anyone else to pay goalie, but we all know that I was the best one they had.   And for many years now, hockey is one of many sports that I am much better than Mike in.  I think his age has caught up to him. 

 

(SI) Most memorable Dragon moment

(DC) I'd have to say our first championship win.  Even though I was clearly ripped-off out of my MVP award. 

 

(SI) And finally, the Dragons now have 3 former EH Kings on the roster, if there were one King you could see on the deck again which one would it be

(DC) The only other King that I could ever see playing again is Bill Barnett, because he's still playing in Glastonbury.  If anyone else started to play again, I'd bet that an ambulance or a hearse would be nearby. 

(SI) Dennis, thanks again, for taking part in this interview Dennis has received an all you can carry gift certificate to the Salvation Army Surplus Store as do all our participants. Stay tuned for more installments of the Dragon Interviews.