The offer came quickly and without a lot of notice, but after careful consideration and consultation with a team of subject-matter experts over the weekend, Logan O’Connor knew what to do.

The rising senior, who was announced as Denver’s captain on June 7, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.

O’Connor, who participated in the Avalanche’s recent development camp, is the seventh player off of last season’s roster to sign a pro contract and the fifth to sign one with an NHL team.

“Being an undrafted free agent, these opportunities don’t come across that often,” he said. “I looked at all the good college players I’ve played with and against and many of them have not been given the opportunity I’ve been privileged to get. Seeing all those factors and dissecting them in different ways and with different people is really what led me to my decision. It was easily the hardest decision of my life.”

Surprise offer

The signing came after O’Connor attended an NHL camp for the first time. He –

Logan OConnor

and DU’s coaching staff – had been led to believe the Avs were impressed with his showing and wanted to sign him after his senior season. Rather than take the chance that another NHL team might swoop in, Colorado no doubt re-thought that strategy.

“Yeah I was definitely a little surprised,” O’Connor said. “After I left development camp they mentioned they were interested in me and would watch me throughout the year and hopefully get me up to some games once my senior year at DU was completed. It was left at that.

“This past Thursday they reached out to me on a conference call and expressed how they wanted me to play for the organization. It’s been a good process. … As hard as the decision has been, it’s gone as smooth as it can. It’s nice because they know my game a lot.”

DU assistant Tavis MacMillan said he and head coach David Carle had no indication this was coming until the Avalanche reached out to O’Connor and his family advisor last week.

“We knew he had a good camp. We knew Colorado had an interest in him,” MacMillan said. “But no, we didn’t know until last week.”

O’Connor had thrown himself full force into being captain, MacMillan said.

“He had taken on that role really well,” the coach said. “The opportunity for Logan was a hard one to pass up.”

O’Connor said he consulted with Carle, MacMillan and former coach Jim Montgomery, as well as some others who know him and his game before reaching his decision.

“I’m surrounded by knowledgable people who are invested in me and my career,” the forward said.

Once he made the decision, weighing factors such as finishing his degree and graduating with his class, as well as being the Pioneers’ captain and being there for the start of the Carle era, he was left with what he called the toughest part of his decision – talking to his teammates.

“That was the hardest part for me. I worried about that the entire time. I didn’t want them to take it the wrong way,” O’Connor said, adding that every one responded to him in the affirmative. “That definitely helped seeing all the support from them.”

Trending upward

O’Connor’s ascent to this point is a testament to his hard work and the coaching he received during his career.

Bear in mind that during his freshman season, he did not play a meaningful game after Jan. 29 (dressing only for the NCHC third-place game). So he played one of the Pioneers’ final 16 games en route to a Frozen Four berth. Yet he played a huge role in their season-ending roll, MacMillan said.

“Ask anyone about how hard Logan was to practice against,” the coach said. “He never sulked, never whined, he just practiced hard and elevated everyone else’s game. He kept growing and was determined not to miss anymore games.”

He put up 18 points in 44 games as a sophomore and topped that with 21 points as a junior.

What he brings to the Avalanche organization is pretty clear – speed and more speed. It’s the hallmark of today’s NHL.

“He has NHL speed right now,” said MacMillan, who spent a decade scouting the league for the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise. “He’s not a good skater by NHL standards, he’s a great skater. He pressures the puck as well as anyone.”

O’Connor will have the opportunity to be the second member of his family to play in the NHL. His father Myles played 43 games for the New Jersey Devils and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the early to mid-1990s.

So what’s next for the Pioneers?

First, they’ll meet Tuesday to pick a new captain – the educated guess would be one of the two senior alternates – Jarid Lukosevicius or Colin Staub – gets the call and add another alternate, likely from among a pool of juniors that includes Tyson McLellan, Michael Davies and Erich Fear or possibly sophomore Ian Mitchell.

Then they’ll regroup and move forward without one of their better forwards, after losing Henrik Borgström, Dylan Gambrell and Troy Terry to NHL deals and Rudy Junda to graduation. That’s on top of losing defenseman Blake Hillman to an NHL deal and graduating blue liners Tariq Hammond (AHL) and Adam Plant (AHL) and goaltending bedrock Tanner Jaillet.

Still, the Pioneers were in a somewhat similar boat two summers ago when Trevor Moore signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in late July on the heels of Danton Heinen‘s early departure to the Boston Bruins and the graduation of four key seniors.

The next season? The skate for eight was on.

©First Line Editorial 2017-18