Logan O’Connor’s return to the Colorado Avalanche will have to wait.
The team announced Thursday that O’Connor is stepping away after the sudden death of his father, Myles O’Connor, who was 59. The news arrived just hours before Colorado was scheduled to face the Calgary Flames, turning a near-comeback into a pause for something far bigger than hockey.
Myles O’Connor had his own NHL career as a defenseman, skating for the New Jersey Devils and the then-Anaheim Mighty Ducks from 1990 to 1994. In 43 NHL games, he scored three goals and added four assists.
After his time in the league, he kept playing and eventually moved to Japan, where he joined the Nippon Paper Cranes. During the 1997-98 season, he posted four goals and 11 assists in 31 games.
Logan O’Connor built his own path in the sport, playing at the University of Denver before making his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2018-19 season. He was also part of Colorado’s Stanley Cup run in 2022. Since then, he has totaled 45 goals and 60 assists across 356 regular-season games, and the Avalanche signed him to a six-year extension in September 2024.
Colorado said it extended its condolences to O’Connor and his family, and the club planned to honor Myles during Thursday’s game.
The timing adds another wrinkle to a quick turnaround for the Avalanche, who lost 3-2 to Winnipeg on Wednesday despite outshooting the Jets 34-19. Calgary comes next with less than 24 hours between games.
The matchup also has carried a strong recent edge for Colorado. The Avalanche have won 12 of their last 15 against the Flames, swept all three meetings last season, and outscored Calgary 15-4.
Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas combined for 14 points in those games. Kadri will face his former team, while Scott Wedgewood is expected to make his first start of the season in goal.
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Devon Toews, Cale Makar and Jaden Schwartz all chipped in, giving Colorado the kind of balanced attack that can make it dangerous when its stars are rolling. Scott Wedgewood backed it up with a steady night in net, helping the Avalanche settle in after a rough opening period and leave with the response they were looking for. [Read more 🡒]
Former Avalanche Blue-Liner Suddenly Faces A Long Absence In Seattle
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Seattle has already moved Lindgren to injured reserve, a sign this is not expected to be a short-term absence. For the Kraken, it means a defense corps that was just getting its regular rhythm will have to adjust without one of its newest pieces for a while, leaving the lineup short for at least the next stretch of games. [Read more 🡒]