Avalanche's Logan O'Connor Returns After Father's Death
The Colorado forward made his season debut on October 23 following a lower-body injury, weeks after his father Myles O'Connor died suddenly.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hockey
Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor returned to play after his father, former NHL defenseman Myles O'Connor, died suddenly at age 59 in October. Logan made his season debut on October 23 following a lower-body injury.
Why it matters
The return highlights how professional athletes balance grief with competitive obligations, and how their teams provide support during personal loss. It also connects a current player to his father's own hockey legacy in the NHL and college ranks.
Myles O'Connor appeared in 43 NHL games, recording three goals and four assists, after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round in 1985. His cause of death has not been disclosed in the available reporting.
The players
Logan O'Connor
Logan O'Connor is an Avalanche forward who won a national title at the University of Denver and joined Colorado as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Myles O'Connor
Myles O'Connor was a former NHL defenseman and University of Michigan captain who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1985.
The details
Logan O'Connor attended his father's celebration of life in Calgary before returning to the ice. The Avalanche gave him space to heal, and coaches and teammates checked in on him. He also took part in a ceremonial faceoff while holding his young son at a Denver-Michigan college hockey game.
Timeline
1985: Myles O'Connor drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round.
2017: Logan O'Connor wins a national title with the University of Denver Pioneers.
2018: Logan O'Connor signs with the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent.
October 2026: Myles O'Connor dies suddenly at age 59.
October 23, 2026: Logan O'Connor makes his season debut.
Season Trajectory
The return of a core depth forward gives Colorado more roster flexibility as the season moves into its early stretch. It also adds an emotionally resonant storyline to a franchise that has built its identity on player development from the college ranks.
Logan O'Connor's return adds a depth forward to the Avalanche lineup and affects how fantasy managers evaluate his usage. Fans following the team can track his ice time and role as he works back into the rotation.
The takeaway
Logan O'Connor's return shows how a team and its players can support one another through personal loss while continuing competitive work. Readers following the sport can view such stories as reminders of the human side of professional athletics.
Further reading
For more on the league's teams and players, explore Hockey coverage across the NHL.
