Former NHLer passes away suddenly at just 59 years old

There are moments in hockey where the game just doesn't matter anymore. Thursday night was one of those moments for the Colorado Avalanche and one of their most beloved players. Just hours before the Avs were set to take the ice against the Calgary Flames, the organization shared devastating news that rocked the hockey world and put everything into perspective.

The Avalanche announced that Myles O'Connor, father of Colorado winger Logan O'Connor, had passed away suddenly at the age of 59. The team released a statement expressing their deep sadness, offering thoughts and support to Logan and the entire O'Connor family during an incredibly difficult time. Shortly after, the club confirmed that Logan would be stepping away from the team on a personal leave of absence to be with his loved ones.

A Hockey Life Cut Short

Myles O'Connor was far more than just a hockey dad. He was a hockey player in his own right, one who carved out a professional career that spanned nearly a decade across multiple leagues and even continents. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Myles was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 1985 NHL Draft, 45th overall.

Rather than jumping straight into pro hockey, Myles chose to attend the University of Michigan, where he suited up for four seasons from 1985 to 1989. He wore the captain's "C" during his senior year and put together a remarkable collegiate career. His 138 points across 156 games placed him among the top NCAA defensemen of that era, with a standout sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 45 points in 39 games. He was also no stranger to the rough stuff, accumulating 353 penalty minutes during his time in Ann Arbor.

After college, Myles turned pro with the Utica Devils, New Jersey's AHL affiliate, where he posted an impressive 47 points in 76 games during his rookie season. That performance earned him a shot at the NHL level, and he made his debut with the Devils during the 1990-91 season. Over the next several years, he split time between New Jersey and their minor league affiliates before eventually moving on to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks organization. He played five games with Anaheim, which would be his final taste of NHL action. In total, Myles appeared in 43 NHL games, notching three goals and four assists. His career in the minors was considerably more productive, as he tallied 173 points in 385 combined AHL and IHL games across stints with the San Diego Gulls, Houston Aeros, and Cincinnati Cyclones. He wrapped up his playing days overseas with the Nippon Paper Cranes in Japan during the 1997-98 season, putting up 15 points in 31 games before hanging up the skates for good.

Most recently, Myles had been running O'Connors, a multi-generational family clothing store in Calgary that has been a fixture in the community since 1958. No details regarding the cause of his passing have been disclosed.

Logan's Return to the Avs Put on Hold

The timing makes this even more heartbreaking. Logan O'Connor had been battling a lower-body injury sustained during the preseason and was on the verge of making his 2026-27 debut. There was a real possibility he would have been in the lineup against Calgary on Thursday night or for Saturday's home game against Toronto. That timeline is now understandably on hold indefinitely.

Logan has built his own impressive hockey resume, playing his college hockey at the University of Denver before making his Avalanche debut during the 2018-19 season. He was part of Colorado's Stanley Cup championship squad in 2022 and has appeared in 356 regular season games with the club, recording 45 goals and 60 assists. The organization clearly valued his contributions, signing him to a six-year contract extension back in September 2024.

There is no word yet on when Logan might return to the team, and frankly, nobody should be in any rush to put a timeline on it. Hockey will be there when he's ready. Right now, the only thing that matters is family. Our thoughts go out to Logan and the entire O'Connor family during this terrible time.