Logan O'Connor explained

Logan O'Connor
Birth Date:14 August 1996
Birth Place:Missouri City, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:175
Position:Right wing
Shoots:Right
League:NHL
Team:Colorado Avalanche
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2018

Logan O'Connor (born August 14, 1996) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). O'Connor won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022. He has become a fan favourite thanks to his gritty, hard-working style of play.[1]

Early life

O'Connor is the son of former NHL player Myles O'Connor and was born while his father played for the Houston Aeros of the International Hockey League (IHL).[2] He was raised in Calgary, after his father retired from playing.[3]

Playing career

Amateur

O'Connor first played as a bantam and midget within the Calgary Royals organization of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). Opting to pursue a collegiate career, O'Connor was selected with the 194th overall pick by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 2013 United States Hockey League (USHL) Entry Draft.

During first junior season with the Stampede in the 2013–14 season, O'Connor committed to the University of Denver of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).[4] As a 17-year-old with Sioux Falls, O'Connor was placed on the checking line and recorded 3 goals and 10 points in 59 games.

In the following 2014–15 season, O'Connor was named captain of the Stampede and continued his development by increasing his scoring presence in posting 16 goals and 36 points in 58 regular season games. In the postseason, he contributed 10 points in 12 games for Sioux Falls to help capture the Clark Cup.[5]

Embarking on his collegiate career with the Denver Pioneers in the 2015–16 season, O'Connor appeared in 23 games for two goals and two assists as a freshman. In the following 2016–17 season, he became a fixture among the Pioneers checking line, registering 7 goals and 18 points while appearing in all 44 games to help Denver claim the 2017 national championship.[6]

In his junior season in 2017–18, O'Connor again appeared every game with the Pioneers, posting a season-best 21 points while leading the Pioneers with two short-handed goals through 41 games. He helped the Pioneers claim the NCHC championship and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Named as a two-time All-Academic in the NCHC, O'Connor was selected as captain of the Pioneers for his senior season on June 7, 2018.[7]

Professional

At the conclusion of his junior season and following the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, O'Connor was invited to attend the Colorado Avalanche development camp.[8] On July 24, 2018, O'Connor forwent his senior season as captain with the Pioneers in agreeing to a two-year, entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent with the Avalanche.[9]

O'Connor began the 2018–19 season with the Avalanche's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. On December 30, he was recalled by the Avalanche.[10] O'Connor made his debut the following night in a 3–2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.[11] He finished the season with five scoreless appearances for the Avalanche and 42 points in 64 games for the Eagles.

On November 27, 2019, O'Connor scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.[12] He skated in 16 games for the Avalanche during the 2019–20 regular season, and also played in five 2020 playoff games, recording one assist.

On September 18, 2020, the Avalanche re-signed O'Connor to a two-year contract extension.[13]

On September 22, 2021, the Avalanche re-signed O'Connor to a three-year, $3.15 million dollar extension.[14]

On May 21, 2022, O'Connor scored his first career playoff goal in a second round game against the St. Louis Blues.[15]

On January 20, 2024, O'Connor scored his first career hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers.[16] On March 10, he was declared out for the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery to repair an injury that had forced him to miss six games since the All-Star Game break.[17]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2012–13Calgary RoyalsAMHL34716231051342
2013–14Sioux Falls StampedeUSHL59371023300012
2014–15Sioux Falls StampedeUSHL58162036421264102
2015–16University of DenverNCHC232249
2016–17University of DenverNCHC447111810
2017–18University of DenverNCHC41714216
2018–19Colorado EaglesAHL641923422940000
2018–19Colorado AvalancheNHL50000
2019–20Colorado EaglesAHL4012132528
2019–20Colorado AvalancheNHL16202250110
2020–21Colorado AvalancheNHL22325620000
2021–22Colorado AvalancheNHL81816243817134 9
2022–23Colorado AvalancheNHL82917263770006
2023–24Colorado AvalancheNHL5713122534
NHL totals2633547821173114515

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
USHL
Clark Cup champion2015
College
NCAA champion2017
NCHC All-Academic Team2017, 2018
NCHC All-Tournament Team2018
NHL
Stanley Cup champion2022[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Briggs . David . October 1, 2020 . Logan O'Connor Is the Gritty Player the Avalanche Need . May 22, 2023 . The Hockey Writers.
  2. Web site: Avalanche Signs Logan O'Connor . Colorado Avalanche . July 23, 2018.
  3. Web site: Logan O'Connor gives up DU captaincy to play his role with the Avalanche . . July 29, 2018.
  4. Web site: O'Connor commits to the University of Denver . stixhockeyacademy.com . October 27, 2014 . January 6, 2019 .
  5. Web site: Sioux Falls Stampede win 2015 Clark Cup . . May 15, 2015 . January 6, 2019.
  6. News: Denver Pioneers celebrate national title at Magness Arena . . April 11, 2017 . January 6, 2019.
  7. Web site: Logan O'Connor named Captain for 2018-19 season . . June 7, 2018 . January 6, 2019.
  8. Web site: Avalanche sign Denver free agent Logan O'Connor to entry-level deal . milehighhockey.com . July 24, 2018 . January 6, 2019.
  9. Web site: Avalanche signs Logan O'Connor . . July 24, 2018 . January 6, 2019.
  10. Web site: We have recalled Logan O'Connor from the Colorado Eagles. . Twitter . December 30, 2018.
  11. Web site: Sadowski . Rick . Brown, Kings recover to top Avalanche in OT . National Hockey League . January 1, 2019.
  12. Web site: Knabenbauer . Ron . "Happiness" on O'Connor's First NHL Goal . . November 28, 2019 . November 28, 2019.
  13. Web site: Avalanche Re-Signs Logan O'Connor . . September 18, 2020 . September 18, 2020.
  14. Web site: Avalanche's Logan O'Connor: Inks three-year extension . . September 23, 2021 . June 26, 2022.
  15. Web site: Solomon . David . Avalanche top Blues, lose defenceman Girard for rest of playoffs . March 12, 2024 . . May 21, 2022.
  16. Web site: Flynn . Colleen . Avalanche forward earns 1st career hat trick in 7-4 win over Flyers . March 12, 2024 . . January 20, 2024.
  17. Web site: Avalanche's Logan O'Connor to have season-ending hip surgery . March 12, 2024 . . March 10, 2024.
  18. Web site: Colorado Avalanche win first Stanley Cup since 2001 with Game 6 comeback . . June 26, 2022 . June 26, 2022.