Three months ago, right winger Logan O’Connor had every intention to return to the University of Denver and play out his senior season as the Pioneers’ captain.
Tuesday night he will instead make his NHL preseason debut with the Avalanche and play on a line with two guys who are assured of making the opening-night roster.
O’Connor, 22, went from an Avs’ development-camp invite in June to signing a maximum, two-year free agent contract July 23. He will play on a line with second-year center J.T. Compher and newcomer Matt Calvert Tuesday night when the Avs host the Vegas Golden Knights at the Pepsi Center.