Catching Up with Logan O'Connor

Colorado Avalanche winger Logan O'Connor took a break from the busy 2022-23 season to check-in and discuss some details about his life, hockey career and hobbies.

What was it like growing up in Missouri City (Texas)?

O'Connor:"I only lived in Texas for about six months. My dad was playing pro there for the Houston Aeros, which was the old IHL league, which essentially was like the AHL back then. I don't really remember it. We moved around a little bit. Lived in Japan for a year, he (O'Connor's dad Myles) played hockey over there for a year. Went to daycare there, there's a funny picture of me in daycare with blonde hair and blue eyes next to a bunch of Japanese kids. I grew up in Calgary."

Missouri City is near Houston, but Texas isn't really considered a hockey state. You're one of seven active players from Texas (Seth Jones, Tyler Myers, Blake Coleman, Stefan Noesen, Caleb Jones and Thomas Bordeleau) and one of 11 players all time (Mike Christie, Chris Brown, Nicolas Kerdiles, Brian Leetch, Hockey HOF, Jonathan Rheault). Any guesses as to why that is?

O'Connor:"I knew a couple of those guys from Texas, but I don't know them personally."

How much of an influence was your dad in getting you into hockey?

O'Connor:"He was everything to help me get into hockey. He coached me for three, four, five years. When I was younger, he would flip between me and my brother. I remember him and my mom would flutter backyards. We had a backyard rink out there; we would go out there before and after school. It was a big sacrifice and commitment by them to keep that rink going. Still to this day we still have open dialogue about games and constructive criticism, and we talk after pretty much every game. He's definitely been the most influential person in my career. As a role model watching with his career. He can pretty much relate to everything in my life because he went through it himself."

What's it like playing on the wing in the NHL?

O'Connor:"I think it's challenging. You always have D-men coming down on you. The half wall can make or break a team's game. You need to have good center support. A lot of crucial plays happen on the half wall. You need to know when to chip it out when a D-man is coming down on you. When to make a slip play in the middle to your center. Just being in shooting lanes in the point. I think there's just different aspects you have to really reinforce in your game in order to have success. It starts with breakouts and good D-zone and that will eventually translate to better offense."

Seems like you have a thing for shorthanded goals - in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons you led the Pioneers with two, led the AHL in 2018-19 with five and now this past season led the team in shorthanded point (1g/3a), third on the team and first among forwards in shorthanded minutes per game (2:06). You scored one on October 25 against the Rangers. Is there another gear you turn on, or is it instinctual?

O'Connor: "I think it's just using my speed. Maybe catching some power plays off guard. Obviously, they're focused on scoring goals, not really focused on defending them, so I think loose pucks, chipped out pucks you can maybe surprise some teams, jump on those a little quicker. You have to know a time and place because your main goal is to stop goals from going in, but there are definitely opportunities when guys out there are maybe being a bit lazier than normal because they're a man up. I think there are times to expose those teams and use my speed and stick to my advantage."

What was it like scoring two goals on the night the Avs honored McNab?

O'Connor:"That was really special. Obviously, the introduction ceremony for Peter was pretty touching and emotional for a lot of people. Didn't think I'd have that much emotion before a game, but the man he was the organization. You're trying to focus for the game but you're getting emotional is surprising. What he meant to the organization was unbelievable and DU (Denver University) as well. He was definitely a special, special man. I think he made everyone feel like he'd known them for 10, 20 years. I think that's a good way to describe him. He'd always make you feel welcome. He always had a smile on his face. Just an unbelievable person. It was cool to have that moment that night to honor him. Then when we saluted the press box, I think that was a pretty awesome moment for everyone on the ice to honor him and take a moment for him and his family."

You had people doubting you even after you made it to the NHL level. Now that you signed a contract extension what are you looking to focus on/show to people this season (if anything)?

O'Connor:"Continue to use my speed to my advantage. I think that's my biggest strength as a player. Continually try to be better on the penalty kill. I think that's been a key for my whole career here. I think our penalty kill has struggled a little bit to start the season, but I think we're finding our stride a bit more as our chemistry is building. Continue to try and develop my offensive game. I think defense has always been a staple for me throughout my career. I pride myself on being a 200-foot player. Hanging onto pucks a little bit more in the O-zone and being a little more patient at times. Obviously, my game is a bit of a more chip and chase, but I think if I can develop more of this it will help me in the long run."

What does an off day look like for you? Any interests/hobbies people may not know about you?

O'Connor:"I take my dog for a walk. Go play frisbee with her. Just lowkey at home. Maybe some recovery stuff, watch Netflix, maybe read, but general stuff like most guys do. I just try to be relaxed on off days because we have a lot going on with travel, but just simple things."