Drew O’Connor Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

Drew O’Connor is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 9, 1998, in Chatham, New Jersey, United States, O’Connor grew up in a family with a strong passion for hockey.

His parents are Shawn O’Connor and Meagan O’Connor, who supported his development from childhood through his eventual NHL debut. He also has three siblings: an older brother named Jack O’Connor and two sisters, Erin O’Connor and McKenna O’Connor.

In his personal life, O’Connor is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Anoush Krafian, a former Dartmouth College track and field athlete and entrepreneur. The couple publicly announced their engagement in June 2026.

Drew O’Connor’s Girlfriend and Relationship History

Anoush Krafian – Drew O’Connor’s Fiancée

Drew O’Connor is engaged to Anoush Krafian, his longtime girlfriend and romantic partner.

The couple share a connection to Dartmouth College, where O’Connor played NCAA Division I ice hockey and Krafian competed in track and field.

Although they have maintained a relatively private relationship, their romance became publicly recognized through social media appearances and their engagement announcement.

On June 29, 2026, O’Connor shared photographs announcing that he and Krafian were engaged.

The news attracted congratulations from several Vancouver Canucks teammates, including Max Sasson, Victor Mancini, Linus Karlsson, Liam Öhgren, and Elias Pettersson.

Jake DeBrusk also congratulated the couple, joking about the food that might be served at their future wedding.

Who Is Anoush Krafian?

Anoush Krafian is a former American collegiate track and field athlete who attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

According to her official Dartmouth University athletic biography, Krafian is from Belmont, Massachusetts, and studied neuroscience.

Before attending Dartmouth, she competed in track and field at Belmont High School.

She earned All-American recognition in the heptathlon and received academic honors during her high school years.

At Dartmouth, Krafian competed in combined events, continuing her athletic career while pursuing her education.

Her background in competitive athletics gives her a connection to O’Connor’s experiences as a professional hockey player.

Anoush Krafian’s Business and Career

In addition to her athletic background, Anoush Krafian is an entrepreneur involved in handmade fashion accessories.

She operates NOUSH, a business specializing in handmade crochet bags.

According to Daily Hive, the products are made using recycled cotton, reflecting an interest in environmentally conscious fashion.

Krafian promotes her creations through social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, using the brand name madeby_noush.

O’Connor has also appeared in some of her social media videos, offering fans a glimpse of their relationship away from professional hockey.

Drew O’Connor and Anoush Krafian’s Engagement

Drew O’Connor and Anoush Krafian announced their engagement in June 2026.

The couple shared the news through O’Connor’s Instagram account, where several teammates and supporters congratulated them.

During a September 2026 appearance on the Vancouver Canucks Insider podcast, O’Connor also discussed his engagement.

He revealed that he had proposed during a visit to Dartmouth College, the university where he had developed his hockey career.

The proposal held special significance because both O’Connor and Krafian had connections to Dartmouth through their athletic careers.

The engagement marked an important milestone in their relationship as O’Connor prepared for another NHL season with Vancouver.

Is Drew O’Connor Married?

Drew O’Connor is publicly known to be engaged to Anoush Krafian.

However, there is no verified public announcement confirming that the couple have married.

Although they announced their engagement in June 2026, reliable sports reporting has not established a wedding date or confirmed that a ceremony has taken place.

Therefore, Anoush Krafian is identified as O’Connor’s fiancée rather than his wife.

Does Drew O’Connor Have Children?

There are no verified public reports confirming that Drew O’Connor has children.

The Vancouver Canucks forward has discussed his parents, siblings, and fiancée in interviews, but he has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter.

His engagement to Anoush Krafian is well documented, but there is insufficient reliable information to establish that the couple have children together.

Consequently, no names, ages, or birth dates of children can be confirmed.

Drew O’Connor’s Parents

Drew O’Connor was born to Shawn O’Connor and Meagan O’Connor, who raised him in Chatham, New Jersey.

His parents encouraged their children’s participation in sports and were particularly supportive of Drew’s interest in ice hockey.

Both became familiar figures in stories about his development after the Pittsburgh Penguins published interviews documenting their family’s experiences.

In a February 2021 NHL.com feature, Shawn and Meagan discussed the years of practice, travel, and determination that eventually helped their son reach the NHL.

Shawn O’Connor – Drew O’Connor’s Father

Shawn O’Connor is Drew O’Connor’s father and one of the most influential people in his early hockey development.

Shawn was a passionate hockey fan who introduced his sons to the sport during childhood.

He regularly drove Drew and his older brother, Jack, to skating sessions at an ice rink in Bayonne, New Jersey.

According to a Dartmouth Alumni Magazine profile, the family often traveled to the rink early on Saturday mornings.

Drew initially followed his older brother onto the ice and gradually developed his own interest in hockey.

Shawn also coached Drew for several years during his youth hockey career.

Shawn O’Connor’s Influence on His Son’s Career

Shawn played an important role in teaching Drew the fundamentals of ice hockey.

In a November 2023 interview with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Drew explained that his father had coached him for much of his childhood.

Shawn was also responsible for introducing his sons to professional hockey through family trips to New Jersey Devils games.

Although he had previously supported the New York Rangers, Shawn eventually became a Devils fan during the team’s successful years in the 1990s.

He frequently took Drew and Jack to games at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford.

In 2003, he brought both boys to see the Stanley Cup after the Devils won the championship.

These experiences helped inspire Drew’s ambition to compete in the NHL.

Shawn O’Connor’s Support During Drew’s Hockey Challenges

Drew’s path to professional hockey was far from straightforward.

During his early teenage years, he was significantly smaller than many other players competing at the same level.

He struggled to secure consistent playing time at Delbarton School and eventually left the school’s hockey program to pursue additional opportunities with the North Jersey Avalanche.

Shawn supported his son’s decision, even though Drew initially received little attention from college hockey recruiters.

When Drew considered taking additional time after high school to continue developing as a player, his parents encouraged him to pursue the opportunity.

The decision ultimately helped him attract interest from Dartmouth College.

In interviews, Shawn has expressed pride in Drew’s perseverance and willingness to continue improving despite setbacks.

Meagan O’Connor – Drew O’Connor’s Mother

Meagan O’Connor is Drew O’Connor’s mother and another important member of his support system.

She helped raise Drew and his three siblings in New Jersey while supporting their educational and sporting activities.

Meagan has appeared in several official Pittsburgh Penguins interviews discussing her son’s development and professional achievements.

She has described Drew as a determined young man who remained committed to hockey even when his future in the sport was uncertain.

Meagan O’Connor’s Role in Drew’s Development

Meagan supported Drew throughout his childhood, including the years when he struggled to receive attention from college recruiters.

After he graduated from high school, Drew wanted additional time to pursue his dream of playing college hockey.

Although he had received an academic college opportunity, he remained interested in competing at a higher athletic level.

Meagan and Shawn agreed to support his decision to continue playing junior hockey.

According to their February 2021 interview, Meagan believed that giving Drew another opportunity was worthwhile because of his dedication to the sport.

She also supported his physical development as he worked to gain weight and build strength.

During his teenage years, Drew became increasingly interested in nutrition and preparing healthy meals.

Meagan recalled that her son frequently prepared his own food and eventually became an enthusiastic cook.

Meagan O’Connor’s Reaction to Drew’s NHL Debut

One of Meagan’s proudest moments came on January 26, 2021, when Drew made his NHL debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Boston Bruins.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Shawn and Meagan were unable to attend the game in person.

Instead, they watched from their home in New Jersey with Drew’s older brother, Jack.

Shortly before the game, the Pittsburgh Penguins arranged for a special gift basket to be delivered to the family.

The basket included food, flowers, and a congratulatory message recognizing the family’s sacrifices.

Meagan became emotional when she received the surprise.

During the game, the family celebrated as Drew recorded his first NHL point with an assist.

The moment represented the culmination of years of dedication and encouragement.

Drew O’Connor’s Siblings

Drew O’Connor has three siblings: an older brother named Jack O’Connor and two sisters named Erin O’Connor and McKenna O’Connor.

Their identities are confirmed in official Pittsburgh Penguins reporting published in February and December 2021.

All three have supported Drew’s hockey career, although they generally maintain private lives outside professional sports coverage.

Jack O’Connor – Drew O’Connor’s Older Brother

Jack O’Connor is Drew O’Connor’s older brother.

According to Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, Jack is approximately two years older than Drew.

He played an important role in introducing his younger brother to hockey.

During childhood, Jack began skating before Drew, and Drew often followed him to the rink.

The brothers regularly attended Saturday skating sessions in Bayonne, New Jersey, accompanied by their father.

They also played mini-stick hockey and other informal games together at home.

These early experiences helped Drew develop his passion for ice hockey.

Jack O’Connor’s Relationship With Drew

Jack has continued supporting Drew throughout his professional career.

When Drew made his NHL debut in January 2021, Jack watched the game at home with their parents.

He helped follow the action using an NHL streaming service and celebrated when his brother recorded his first career point.

In December 2021, Jack also attended Drew’s first NHL game in his home state of New Jersey.

At the time, Jack was living and working in New York City, according to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He traveled to the Prudential Center in Newark to watch Drew play against the New Jersey Devils.

Although Jack helped inspire his brother’s interest in hockey, there is no reliable public confirmation that he pursued a professional hockey career.

Erin O’Connor – Drew O’Connor’s Sister

Erin O’Connor is one of Drew O’Connor’s two sisters.

She is named in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ February 2021 family profile.

Erin was among the family members who followed Drew’s NHL debut and communicated with their parents during the game.

Because attendance was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family stayed connected through telephone calls and text messages.

Their shared excitement helped make the occasion memorable despite being unable to gather together.

Although Erin has been identified in official team reporting, detailed information about her education, occupation, and personal relationships has not been widely documented.

McKenna O’Connor – Drew O’Connor’s Sister

McKenna O’Connor is Drew O’Connor’s other sister.

She has appeared in official Pittsburgh Penguins photographs and interviews alongside her parents.

During the 2020–21 NHL season, McKenna was attending Miami University in Ohio.

When Drew made his NHL debut in January 2021, she followed the game remotely and sent her family a video of his traditional rookie lap.

In December 2021, McKenna attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game with her mother before joining other relatives for Drew’s first NHL appearance in New Jersey.

A photograph published by the Penguins showed McKenna standing alongside Shawn and Meagan O’Connor at the Prudential Center.

McKenna has therefore been part of several important family celebrations during her brother’s professional career.

Additional information about her current occupation and personal life remains private.

Drew O’Connor’s Extended Family

Drew O’Connor comes from a large extended family with strong connections to New Jersey.

His father, Shawn, has five brothers and one sister, according to official Pittsburgh Penguins reporting.

This means Drew has several paternal uncles and an aunt, along with numerous cousins.

During a December 2021 game against the New Jersey Devils, the O’Connor family organized a large gathering to support Drew.

He requested 32 personalized Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys for his relatives who planned to attend.

Although the jerseys did not arrive before the game, many family members attended the matchup.

The celebration reflected the family’s enthusiasm for Drew’s achievements and the strong connections they had maintained throughout his development.

Drew O’Connor’s Family Background and Childhood

Drew O’Connor grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, where hockey was an important part of family life.

He initially struggled to enjoy skating, particularly during his first experiences on the ice.

However, encouragement from his father and older brother helped him develop an interest in the sport.

Drew played youth hockey in New Jersey and eventually attended Delbarton School.

Because he was smaller than many competing players, he struggled to attract college recruiting interest.

Rather than abandon his professional ambitions, O’Connor continued developing through the North Jersey Avalanche and Boston Junior Bruins.

His performances eventually earned him an opportunity at Dartmouth College.

During the 2019–20 season, he scored 21 goals and became an Ivy League Co-Player of the Year.

On March 10, 2020, he signed an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an undrafted college free agent.

He made his NHL debut on January 26, 2021.

Although he left Dartmouth to begin his professional career, O’Connor continued working toward his sociology degree and later returned to complete his studies.

On January 31, 2025, Pittsburgh traded O’Connor and Marcus Pettersson to the Vancouver Canucks.

During the 2025–26 season, he appeared in all 82 regular-season games for Vancouver and scored a career-high 17 goals.

Throughout his development, O’Connor has credited his parents and siblings for encouraging him to continue pursuing hockey even when his future seemed uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drew O’Connor’s Family

Who is Drew O’Connor’s girlfriend?

Drew O’Connor’s longtime girlfriend is Anoush Krafian, a former Dartmouth College track and field athlete and entrepreneur. The couple announced their engagement in June 2026.

Is Drew O’Connor married?

Drew O’Connor is engaged to Anoush Krafian, but there is no verified public announcement confirming that they have married.

Does Drew O’Connor have children?

There are no reliable public reports confirming that Drew O’Connor has children.

Who is Drew O’Connor’s father?

His father is Shawn O’Connor, who introduced him to hockey and coached him during his childhood.

Who is Drew O’Connor’s mother?

His mother is Meagan O’Connor, who supported his education and hockey development and appeared in several official Pittsburgh Penguins interviews.

How many siblings does Drew O’Connor have?

Drew O’Connor has three siblings: an older brother named Jack and two sisters named Erin and McKenna.

Who is Drew O’Connor’s brother?

His older brother is Jack O’Connor, who helped introduce Drew to hockey during childhood. Jack was also present with their parents when Drew made his NHL debut in January 2021.

Who are Drew O’Connor’s sisters?

Drew O’Connor’s sisters are Erin O’Connor and McKenna O’Connor. Both have supported his professional hockey career.

Who is Anoush Krafian?

Anoush Krafian is Drew O’Connor’s fiancée. She previously competed in track and field at Dartmouth College, studied neuroscience, and later developed a handmade crochet bag business.

Where did Drew O’Connor grow up?

Drew O’Connor grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, where he developed his passion for ice hockey alongside his older brother.