After a strong showing at development camp a couple a weeks ago, the Colorado Avalanche has officially announced the signing of DU Pioneers forward Logan O’Connor to a two-year deal.
“Logan is a hard-working player who brings leadership, energy and speed every night,” Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Joe Sakic said. “His game has continued to develop each season, and we are excited that he has decided to pursue his professional career with the Avalanche organization.”
WOW @loganoconnor22 now with 3 goals at the @Avalanche prospect game! @StarsMonty would be proud. @DU_Hockey @LetsGoDU pic.twitter.com/LCIQhdvSRl
— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) July 2, 2018
With the Pioneers O’Connor had 43 points and 25 penalty minutes in 108 career games, and registered a career-high 21 points playing in all 41 games in his junior season in the 2017-18 regular season. In the postseason, O’Connor registered 3 assists in the 2018 National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Frozen Faceoff that earned him a spot on the NCHC Frozen Faceoff All-Tournament team. After only playing 23 games in his freshman year, O’Connor did not miss a single game for his next two seasons.
He was named the captain of the Denver Pioneers on June 7, 2018.
With the signing, O’Connor becomes the seventh student-athlete from the 2017-18 roster to sign a professional contract and the fifth to sign a contract with an NHL team.
“Logan has earned this opportunity with Colorado,” Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle said. “He represents everything a Pioneer student-athlete strives to be. He has put himself in this position with his tireless work ethic the last three years and leaves Denver with a National Championship, NHL contract and degree in sight. We couldn’t be more proud of him and we are excited to watch him at the next level.”