Drew O’Connor Bio
Drew James O’Connor (born June 9, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 190 pounds, and he shoots left. After going undrafted, O’Connor built his career through collegiate hockey at Dartmouth College before signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins and eventually joining the Canucks in 2025.
Over the past several seasons, O’Connor has developed into a dependable two-way forward, splitting time between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL). His steady climb from undrafted free agent to NHL contributor has made him one of the more notable late-blooming American forwards of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Drew James O’Connor was born on June 9, 1998, in Chatham, New Jersey, to parents Shawn and Meagan O’Connor. He grew up alongside an older brother, Jack, and two sisters, Erin and McKenna. As a toddler, Drew and Jack would skate together every Saturday at a rink in Bayonne, New Jersey, where his love for the game first took shape.
O’Connor attended Delbarton School, where he played for the school’s hockey program in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference beginning in 2013. After his ice time declined during his junior year, he left the Delbarton team and joined the North Jersey Avalanche of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. With the Avalanche, he helped the program capture the T1EHL Championship and earn a berth in USA Hockey Nationals.
By the time O’Connor graduated high school, he had not received any college hockey scholarship offers. After a strong showing at a summer showcase, he was accepted to Dartmouth College and was recommended to spend a year of junior hockey before arriving on campus.
Path to Hockey
Before reaching Dartmouth, O’Connor represented New Jersey in several youth tournaments, including the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2010 with the New Jersey Colonials. The following year, he scored the game-winning goal to clinch the 2011 USA 12U Hockey National Championship for the Colonials. He also tried out for the New York Rangers Quebec Team.
Following his high school graduation, O’Connor spent a season with the Boston Junior Bruins of the National Collegiate Development Conference in the United States Premier Hockey League. In the program’s inaugural NCDC season, he posted 39 points through 49 games. He arrived on the Dartmouth campus in 2018 at 6-foot-3 after graduating high school at 5-foot-10.
At Dartmouth College, where he majored in Sociology at the School of Liberal Arts, O’Connor emerged as one of the top freshmen in the country during the 2018-19 season. He finished his rookie year with 17 goals and 26 points, becoming the only freshman to earn a spot on either the first or second All-Ivy League Team. His six goals in March tied for the most by any player in Division I.
Drew O’Connor Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
O’Connor’s two seasons with the Dartmouth Big Green from 2018 to 2020 established him as one of the program’s all-time greats. After his record-setting freshman year, he was invited to the Boston Bruins’ Development Camp in June and July. Returning for his sophomore season, he was eventually moved from his usual position into a center role as injuries mounted for the Big Green.
In his second college season, O’Connor scored 21 goals through 29 games and became the fourth player in Dartmouth history to be named Ivy League Player of the Year. He was also the eighth Dartmouth player selected to the ECAC First Team and the first Big Green player in more than a decade to be named an All-New England All-Star by the New England Hockey Writers Association.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2020-2025)
Following his sophomore season, O’Connor signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As the NHL paused play during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was loaned to Manglerud Star Ishockey in Norway, where he posted six goals and four assists through seven games. He then attended the Penguins’ training camp ahead of the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.
O’Connor made his NHL debut on January 26, 2021, in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins after being recalled from the Taxi Squad. He recorded his first NHL assist in that game and spent the rest of the season moving between Pittsburgh, the Taxi Squad, and their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. On October 16, 2021, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Over the next several seasons, O’Connor continued to shuttle between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, eventually becoming a more regular NHL presence. He signed a one-year extension in March 2022 with an average annual value of $750,000 and made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in 2022 against the New York Rangers. He also represented the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, recording three goals and five assists in 10 games.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2025-Present)
On January 31, 2025, O’Connor was traded to the Vancouver Canucks along with defenseman Marcus Pettersson in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernström, and a conditional 2025 first-round pick. Less than three weeks later, he signed a two-year, $5 million contract extension to remain with the Canucks through the 2026-27 season.
Following the trade, O’Connor joined a Canucks team looking to build around a competitive core. His combination of size, speed, and two-way responsibility made him a natural fit for the Vancouver system. He quickly earned a role within the lineup as the team pushed toward a return to playoff contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Connor is recognized for his blend of size, skating ability, and two-way reliability. He uses his 6-foot-3 frame effectively along the boards and in the defensive zone, while his speed allows him to contribute in transition. His willingness to play in multiple roles, including center during his college years, has made him a flexible piece for his coaching staffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among O’Connor’s signature moments are his game-winning goal in the 2011 USA 12U Hockey National Championship, his first NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021, and his selection to the 2023 IIHF World Championship roster. He also became just the fourth Dartmouth player to be named Ivy League Player of the Year and the first Big Green skater in more than a decade to earn All-New England honors.
Drew O’Connor Career Wins
Across his amateur, collegiate, and professional career, O’Connor has collected several notable victories, including the 2011 USA 12U Hockey National Championship, the T1EHL Championship with the North Jersey Avalanche, and the Ledyard Classic title with Dartmouth in 2019. His most prominent professional accomplishment came on the international stage in 2025.
Major Series Highlights
At the NHL level, O’Connor has yet to record a multi-goal game that is widely detailed, but his consistent contributions have helped both the Penguins and Canucks push through tight stretches. His first NHL win came in his debut against the Boston Bruins, and his first NHL goal helped the Penguins defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in October 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond league play, O’Connor helped Team USA capture gold at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal and three assists in 10 games. The gold medal marked Team USA’s first at the tournament since 1933.
Drew O’Connor Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
O’Connor was raised by his parents, Shawn and Meagan O’Connor, in Chatham, New Jersey. He grew up with an older brother, Jack, and two sisters, Erin and McKenna. Saturday skating sessions in Bayonne alongside his brother helped spark his lifelong connection to the sport.
Personal Life
O’Connor completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at Dartmouth College, returning to finish his coursework after turning professional and officially graduating on September 7, 2023. While completing classes over the summer, he continued to train at Dartmouth’s Thompson Arena.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in O’Connor’s career. After starting the year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he struggled offensively, enduring a 32-game goal drought before scoring both Penguins goals in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on December 31, 2024. He scored only once more over his final 14 games with Pittsburgh before being dealt.
His January 31, 2025 trade to the Vancouver Canucks provided a fresh start, and a quick contract extension signaled the club’s long-term confidence in him. O’Connor closed the season representing the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, helping Team USA win gold for the first time since 1933.
Looking ahead, O’Connor enters the next phase of his NHL journey as a core piece of the Canucks’ forward group. With his contract running through the 2026-27 season, he will be counted on to provide scoring depth, responsible defense, and veteran leadership as Vancouver aims to re-establish itself among the league’s top contenders.