Connauton has also played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.

[4] He garnered interest from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, who put him on their protected list in October 2008,[5] but opted to play college hockey instead in the NCAA.

[6] He signed with the Western Michigan Broncos of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in April 2008 and initially intended to join them for the 2009–10 season, due to an already full defensive corps.

[7] However, after Jesse Perrin departed for the Central Hockey League (CHL) in August 2008, Connauton was invited to join the Broncos for the 2008–09 season.

[11] Following his NHL draft, Canucks management encouraged Connauton to join the major junior ranks in hopes of bettering his progress.

[12] Prior to joining the Giants, he attended his first NHL training camp with the Canucks, but was an early cut, being assigned to junior on September 16, 2009.

During his AHL debut on October 8, he scored his first goal, a game-winner against goaltender Ben Bishop in a 4–3 win over the Peoria Rivermen.

On April 2, 2013, the Canucks traded Connauton and a second round selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft to the Dallas Stars for Derek Roy.

[26] As he became a replacement for Wisniewski, Connauton finished the season tied for 12th among NHL defensemen in ice time, including six games when he exceeded 20 minutes.

Leading the blueline with the Eagles, Connauton posted 5 goals and 27 points through 38 games while making 4 regular season appearances in a recall to the Avalanche.

With the COVID-19 pandemic ending the AHL season, Connauton was added to the Avalanche's return to play roster, and made 4 playoff appearances in registering 1 assist.

As a free agent leading into the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Connauton agreed to join the Florida Panthers training camp on a professional tryout basis on December 27, 2020.

Remaining with the team upon completion of camp, Connauton was signed by the Panthers to a one-year, two-way contract on January 14, 2021, and was added to the club's taxi squad.