Local hockey player makes professional debut with the Growlers

From patrolling the streets of St. John’s to patrolling the Growlers Blue Line, it was a lightning weekend for Outer Cove native Dan Cadigan.

Cadigan made his professional hockey debut last weekend in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers at age 32, in front of friends, family and colleagues from Mary Brown’s Center who dressed up on Saturday and Sunday.

He is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best player, in the provincial senior hockey league, amassing 59 goals and 118 assists for 177 points in 107 games with the Northeast Eagles, as a defenseman, before moving on. join the Southern Shore Breakers.

It was Growlers captain and Goulds native James Melindy who recommended Cadigan, according to head coach Eric Wellwood.

Cadigan says there were a lot of logistics and previous commitments to take care of, but his loved ones came together to make a dream come true.

He says his family, friends and work buddies joined in and helped him get there. Cadigan describes it as an amazing experience from the start and says the Growlers made him feel right at home.

However, for Cadigan, it was the smiles he was able to put on the faces of others that meant so much to him.

Cadigan, who is a youth and high school hockey coach, says it gives him the opportunity to bring a smile to the kids and that he’s happy to be able to bring joy to the local hockey community, something he does. will be remembered forever.

The Growlers organization gave Cadigan his jersey from Saturday night’s game, which he says will be hung on the basement wall.

Dan Cadigan recaps his whirlwind day after receiving the call to dress for the Growlers.

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– Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) 12 December 2021

Meanwhile, the Growlers bench boss praised Cadigan following the weekend series against the Trois-Rivières Lions.

Head coach Eric Wellwood says Cadigan has started to look more comfortable as they play and at his age, that makes him all the more impressive.

Wellwood says it’s not easy to never play a professional game and jump in directly. He adds that Cadigan played fantastic, is a great guy, was awesome on the bench and in the locker room and they’re happy to know they have a great person to call. if need be in the future.