 In the 2011–12 season, after attending the Tampa Bay Lightning pre-season camp, Conacher was selected to play in the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic, after leading all rookies in scoring.While leading the Admirals in goals and points, Conacher signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Admirals' NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on March 1, 2012.Upon helping the Admirals capture their first Calder Cup, Conacher's successful season was rewarded with the Les Cunningham Award as the league's MVP, becoming just the fourth rookie to win it since it was first presented in 1948.