Logan O'Connor returns to old Calgary haunts and brings the Stanley Cup with him
Logan O'Connor grew up playing hockey at the Flames Community Arena's, first for Glen Lake and then for the Calgary Royals.
So for his day with the Stanley Cup, O'Connor thought it was rather fitting to bring it back to the rink he played so many games in.
The 25-year-old said sharing it with the fans in a place he had so many good memories in was the right thing to do.
"It's been pretty crazy to bring it back here and share it with the community," O'Connor said.
"Our family's motto has always been it takes a village to get someone to this level and then win so share it with everyone. To see the smiles on young kids faces that's sort of what it's all about."
LONG ROAD TO THE NHL
O'Connor's path to the NHL was a different one. He was never drafted into the NHL. Instead he played three seasons at the University of Denver and then signed on with the Avalanche as a free agent in 2019-20.
For the first three seasons, O'Connor only got into 43 games with the Avalanche but this year he played 81 games with the Avs and helped them win the Stanley Cup.
O'Connor's story is all about perseverance and determination and never giving up on your dream. His advice to kids is if you want it enough keep pushing.
"Sometimes the dream can look unrealistic at times when you're a young kid and face adversity but I think it's good for everyone to just stick to what they (love to) do," he said. "Have fun and be a good teammate and a good person and if you do all of those things then good things are bound to happen. So that's the message for any young kid out there who's trying to make this their reality I guess."
O'Connor loved sharing the Stanley Cup with the fans on Wednesday and they came out in full force to get a glimpse of it. Following an on-ice ceremony, fans lined up to have their picture taken with O'Connor and the Cup.
Finn Rowan and his friend Logan Bailey were fortunate enough to be the first in line. Rowan says it's as moment he'll remember forever.
Finn Rowan and his friend Logan Bailey were fortunate enough to be the first in line.
"I mean it's pretty cool. It’s not everyday you get to see the Stanley Cup so it's really cool."
It's also cool for Logan O'Connor to be able to spend his own day with the Cup. He says he has to pinch himself every time he realizes he's a Stanley Cup champ.
"Definitely it still doesn't feel like sometimes that this is happening," he said.
"You know all of my hopes and dreams coming true and being in Calgary with the Stanley Cup in the community, it's still hard to think about it at times and wrap my head around it."
Cale Makar gets the Stanley Cup on Thursday and part of the itinerary is to take it to the place where he grew up playing hockey, the Crowchild Twin Arenas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.