PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector system suited to manage thermal loads.SOLUTION: A connector includes a heat spreader. The heat spreader is configured to direct heat from ports to a thermal plate that is disposed apart from the connector. A plurality of such connectors can be supported and the heat spreaders can be linked with each of the connectors. One or more thermal plates can be thermally coupled to the corresponding heat spreaders so as to direct thermal energy away from each connector. Cold blocks can be used to thermally couple the heat spreaders to the corresponding thermal plates.