[1] Throughout his twenties he worked in theater houses, located in the city's Hill District, a few downtown night clubs, and as a coordinator for a barge company with docks along the Mon Wharf.

By the age of 36, Conant's reputation in the amusements industry caught the attention of Christopher Magee, a political boss in Pittsburgh, was made him the manager of the proposed Schenley Park Casino.

The idea sputtered through a committee of capitalists until Conant convinced his boss, who was the head of the Casino, Harry Davis, that the new building could feature an indoor ice skating rink.

After learning that an artificial ice surface was possible, investors were quick to agree to financing $400,000 for the construction of the Casino, which was completed before opening to the public May 29, 1895.

[3] Soon the Casino's patrons were captivated the new sport and organized games, which were scheduled on Friday nights after the public ice skating session.

However while he spent his winters in New York, he returned to Pittsburgh every summer to work at Kennywood Park as a catering manager.

However Conant returned to Pittsburgh to manage the city's second ice arena, the Duquesne Gardens.

Once Christopher Magee received the political and financial support to open the new multi-purpose facility in Pittsburgh, he chose Conant to manage the Gardens.

In 1901 Pittsburgh had lured future Hall-of-Famers like Riley Hern and Alf Smith into the league, along with several of the era's top players such as; Lorne Campbell and Arthur Sixsmith.

Conant had hoped to move his wife and mother to either Boston or New York and began exploring business opportunities in those cities.

While the morning newspapers said it was sudden and natural, the afternoon papers suggested that the events surrounding his death involved alcoholism and infidelity.