Logan O’Connor has signed with the Colorado Avalanche/Denver Post Photo
National Hockey League teams have feasted on the excellence of the Denver Pioneers hockey program this off-season, taking three of DU’s top forwards (Henrik Borgstrom, Dylan Gambrell and Troy Terry) before graduation, a top defenseman (Blake Hillman) early, its head coach (Jim Montgomery), and now, DU’s captain-to-be.
Logan O’Connor, an undrafted forward from Calgary, Alberta who was slated to become DU’s captain as a senior this season, signed a two-year NHL entry-level contract as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche on July 23, thus ending his college career a year early.
“Logan is a hard-working player who brings leadership, energy and speed every night,” Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Joe Sakic said in a press release. “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.”
DU fans who watched O’Connor play in Denver for the last three seasons will remember his north-south speed, high-motor tenacity and relentless work ethic, as well as his proactive leadership, character, eloquence and general goodness as a human being that led to his selection as DU’s incoming captain. O’Connor, who scored 43 points in 108 DU games, is the son of former Michigan captain and all-American Myles O’Connor. Myles, a defenseman, had a long professional career, including over 40 NHL games with New Jersey and Anaheim.
“Logan has earned this opportunity with Colorado,” DU Head Coach David Carle said in DU’s press release. “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.”
The Avalanche certainly saw those same things in “OC”, but they also saw just how well DU was able to develop the undrafted, somewhat raw O’Connor into one of college hockey’s best penalty killers. At 6-0 and 179 pounds, his speed, tenacity and puck skills really stuck out in the Avs’ summer pro development camp, where the 21-year old was just as (or more) productive as the younger high-level draft picks on the Avs’ depth chart. The Avs’ expectation seems to be that O’Connor would likely start the year in the Colorado Eagles in Loveland, Colo., the Avalanche’s new AHL affiliate. If he were to get an NHL shot, it would likely be as a bottom-six penalty killer and energy forward.
O’Connor also told the Magness Mayhem blog in a July 23rd podcast that it was the “hardest decision of (his) life” and that the current DU coaching staff, former DU coach Jim Montgomery, pro hockey people and his family advisor were all consulted.
Additionally, his NHL-alumnus father Myles, “was supportive” of O’Connor’s decision, but balanced his support with his experienced advice that “pro hockey is a business” and made Logan (a perennial NCHC all-Academic team member) promise to “finish his (DU) degree over the next couple of summers.”
While DU fans (and O’Connor) should be thrilled that his hard work and development at DU has enabled him to take advantage of a professional contract opportunity, the downside for DU is yet another major hit to the already depleted Pioneer roster. O’Connor is the school-record fifth DU player this year to sign an NHL contract before his college eligibility was over. Add in the DU players lost to graduation and transfer, and DU is left with a hyper-young rebuilding roster of at least 20 freshmen and sophomores.
With O’Connor’s departure, I would expect DU to fill the spot by reaching into its deep pool of waiting verbally-committed recruits to sign another forward for this season. The two forward prospects that DU would likely choose from are Ryan O’Reilly, a fourth-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings from Texas or Brendan Budy, a high scoring left winger from British Columbia. O’Reilly, who is slated to play in the USHL this season, is a big power forward at 6-2 and 200 lbs., but is somewhat raw in his skill set. Budy, a 5-10, 180 pound playmaker, is a proven producer in the BCHL, with 56 points in 49 games last season as a 17-year old captain with the Langley (B.C.) Rivermen. Budy’s father, Tim, was a forward with DU rival Colorado College back in the late 1980s.
We also expect that DU may want to name a new team captain to replace O’Connor from either (or both) seniors-to-be Jarid Lukosevicius or Colin Staub, and perhaps elevate either defensemen Michael Davies and/or Ian Mitchell to become alternate captains.
As for the Pios’ prognosis this season, DU fan expectations should be tempered. Fans here in Denver will need to be very patient with one of the youngest rosters in the country and the youngest head coach in the country in David Carle. Given that the NCHC is the toughest league in the nation, the young Pioneers will likely take their lumps this season. There is a very good chance that the Pios will struggle to be a .500 team, and that the familiar 20+ win DU season, NCAA tournament appearance and yearly Gold Pan success will not happen for this young group. Indeed, all programs can have relative down seasons as they rebuild, just as North Dakota and Boston College did last season. DU will likely become better as the new players acclimate to college hockey and experienced players assume new roles as the season progresses. And who knows? They could surprise us and over-achieve. After all, Minnesota-Duluth won the NCAA championship with a young team last year.
That said, you also might want to buy DU basketball season tickets this season, as the Pio hoopers have the potential to nab that elusive first NCAA tournament appearance this season.
Go Pios!
Puck Swami is the Internet moniker of a long-time DU fan and alumnus. He shares his views here periodically at LetsGoDU.
This is another blow to the program. It’s a great opportunity for OC, but I think he needed another year. This could go one of two ways…Tyler Bozak or Geoff Paukovich/Ryan Dingle. I think that O’Reilly will end up taking that scholarship to plays this year. Has anybody heard anything regarding Tanner Jaillet and NHL interest. Is there any? Or is he done?
I am very surprised that Tanner hasn’t been signed by someone. After all, he’s a Mike Richter award winner in 2017 as a the top college goalie, has great stats and a great attitude. The conventional wisdom is that pro teams like to sign big goalies, and Tanner can’t change that aspect of his game – he’s never going to be a 6+ footer. Maybe he’ll get a chance in Europe somewhere? Remember that Tim Thomas was a small goalie who toiled in Europe for many years before he got his NHL shot.
The professional progress of DU’s goalies has always been somewhat underwhelming. DU hasn’t produced a number one NHL goaltender since Ron Grahame’s one 1978 season with the Boston Bruins, and before then, there was Pete LoPresti’s one year as the Minnesota North Stars’ starter in 1974. Grahame and LoPresti’s other NHL years were as backups. Other DU goalies have played in the NHL since then (Dubielewicz, Berkhoel, Mannino) but all of them have been backups, rather than starters. Other good college goalies like Sam Brittain and Marc Cheverie never got a an NHL shot…
I did read that there was a small amount of interest from both the Stars and Islanders. However, with the Islanders signing Jakub Skarek and the Stars signing Colton Point, I don’t see that happening. Maybe a team like Chicago or Minnesota will give him tryout shot in the Traverse City tournament
The NHL scouts will tell you that most of them won’t go after goalies under six feet tall. Although, that does seem to be short-sighted.
Atleast now you can just jump in your car, get on I-25 North to go see these Avalanche-hopefuls. OC will be playing more in Loveland than he will be in downtown Denver.
This is another blow to the program. It’s a great opportunity for OC, but I think he needed another year. This could go one of two ways…Tyler Bozak or Geoff Paukovich/Ryan Dingle. I think that O’Reilly will end up taking that scholarship to plays this year. Has anybody heard anything regarding Tanner Jaillet and NHL interest. Is there any? Or is he done?
I am very surprised that Tanner hasn’t been signed by someone. After all, he’s a Mike Richter award winner in 2017 as a the top college goalie, has great stats and a great attitude. The conventional wisdom is that pro teams like to sign big goalies, and Tanner can’t change that aspect of his game – he’s never going to be a 6+ footer. Maybe he’ll get a chance in Europe somewhere? Remember that Tim Thomas was a small goalie who toiled in Europe for many years before he got his NHL shot.
The professional progress of DU’s goalies has always been somewhat underwhelming. DU hasn’t produced a number one NHL goaltender since Ron Grahame’s one 1978 season with the Boston Bruins, and before then, there was Pete LoPresti’s one year as the Minnesota North Stars’ starter in 1974. Grahame and LoPresti’s other NHL years were as backups. Other DU goalies have played in the NHL since then (Dubielewicz, Berkhoel, Mannino) but all of them have been backups, rather than starters. Other good college goalies like Sam Brittain and Marc Cheverie never got a an NHL shot…
I did read that there was a small amount of interest from both the Stars and Islanders. However, with the Islanders signing Jakub Skarek and the Stars signing Colton Point, I don’t see that happening. Maybe a team like Chicago or Minnesota will give him tryout shot in the Traverse City tournament
The NHL scouts will tell you that most of them won’t go after goalies under six feet tall. Although, that does seem to be short-sighted.
Atleast now you can just jump in your car, get on I-25 North to go see these Avalanche-hopefuls. OC will be playing more in Loveland than he will be in downtown Denver.
It was almost exactly 2 years ago that we saw Trevor Moore sign with the Maple Leafs after attending their development camp. Moore had 120 points during his 3 year stay at DU. He has played exclusively with the AHL Marlies and has 66 points in those 2 years. Plus 17 points in the playoff run to the Calder Cup.
It’s hard for me to see how Logan O’Connor can be an impactful player in the AHL much less make the NHL. Obviously the Avs saw something about O’Connor that could translate to the NHL. You can’t fault him for taking the next step toward his dream. He has a natty ring on his hand and, honestly, the Pios won’t be challenging for another one this year. “Would love to be wrong.but I don’t think so”.(106 in So Cal so stayed inside and watched a “Monk” marathon yesterday–that line is now etched in my brain)
I wish the best for Logan in his professional career. Hope he makes that dream come true.
.
It was almost exactly 2 years ago that we saw Trevor Moore sign with the Maple Leafs after attending their development camp. Moore had 120 points during his 3 year stay at DU. He has played exclusively with the AHL Marlies and has 66 points in those 2 years. Plus 17 points in the playoff run to the Calder Cup.
It’s hard for me to see how Logan O’Connor can be an impactful player in the AHL much less make the NHL. Obviously the Avs saw something about O’Connor that could translate to the NHL. You can’t fault him for taking the next step toward his dream. He has a natty ring on his hand and, honestly, the Pios won’t be challenging for another one this year. “Would love to be wrong.but I don’t think so”.(106 in So Cal so stayed inside and watched a “Monk” marathon yesterday–that line is now etched in my brain)
I wish the best for Logan in his professional career. Hope he makes that dream come true.
.
Man, tough offseason for the Pios. Coach Carle has his work cut out for him in year 1. Expectations should definitely be tempered.
That said, best of luck to O’Connor!! He was sure fun to watch.
Man, tough offseason for the Pios. Coach Carle has his work cut out for him in year 1. Expectations should definitely be tempered.
That said, best of luck to O’Connor!! He was sure fun to watch.
Tanner Jaillet signed in DEL. A little surprised he didn’t get a shot in the AHL.
He may have had AHL offers, but chose Europe instead. For young guys with no families yet, playing in Europe has some real upsides. The DEL as the top league in Germany, can pay better than AHL, too, but it depends on the team and the contract offer. In the DEL, you usually get a free apartment and small car provided by the team. European hockey seasons are shorter and travel is typically shorter distances. The Euro leagues are well-scouted, too. If he does well, he can get an NHL offer. For example, Drew Shore did very well in the Swiss League a couple of years ago in Kloten, and a got an NHL shot with Vancouver (he struggled in Vancouver, though.) Wolfsburg (where Tanner signed) is a very modern, postwar city that is one of the richest in Germany, due to the headquarters of Volkswagen there (VW owns Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Skoda and other auto brands.) His team, the Grizzlies, also has former Pioneer William Wrenn on it, so they can share Magness memories.
Tanner Jaillet signed in DEL. A little surprised he didn’t get a shot in the AHL.
He may have had AHL offers, but chose Europe instead. For young guys with no families yet, playing in Europe has some real upsides. The DEL as the top league in Germany, can pay better than AHL, too, but it depends on the team and the contract offer. In the DEL, you usually get a free apartment and small car provided by the team. European hockey seasons are shorter and travel is typically shorter distances. The Euro leagues are well-scouted, too. If he does well, he can get an NHL offer. For example, Drew Shore did very well in the Swiss League a couple of years ago in Kloten, and a got an NHL shot with Vancouver (he struggled in Vancouver, though.) Wolfsburg (where Tanner signed) is a very modern, postwar city that is one of the richest in Germany, due to the headquarters of Volkswagen there (VW owns Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Skoda and other auto brands.) His team, the Grizzlies, also has former Pioneer William Wrenn on it, so they can share Magness memories.
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