From patrolling the streets of St. John’s to patrolling the Growlers blueline, it was a whirlwind weekend for Outer Cove native, Dan Cadigan.
Cadigan made his professional hockey debut this past weekend in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers at 32-years-old, in front of friends, family and colleagues at Mary Brown’s Centre suiting up on Saturday and Sunday.
He’s widely regarded as one of, if not the top player, in the province’s senior hockey league, amassing 59 goals and 118 assists for 177 points in 107 games with the Northeast Eagles, as a defenseman, before joining 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 prior commitments to take care of, but those closest to him pulled together to make a dream come true.
He says his family, friends and work buddies jumped on board and helped him out to make it happen. Cadigan describes it as an amazing experience from the start and says the Growlers made him feel 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 coaches youth and high school hockey, says it gives him an opportunity to put smiles on kids’ faces and is happy to be able to bring some joy to the local hockey community—something he’ll remember forever.
The Growlers organization gifted Cadigan his jersey from Saturday night’s game, which he says will be going on the wall down in the basement.
Dan Cadigan sums up his whirlwind day after he received the call to suit up for the Growlers.
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) December 12, 2021
Meanwhile, the Growlers bench boss had some high praise for Cadigan following the weekend series against the Trois-Rivières Lions.
Head coach Eric Wellwood says Cadigan started to look more comfortable as the games went on and at his age, it makes it all the more impressive.
Wellwood says it’s not easy to never play a pro game and step right in. He adds that Cadigan played fantastic, is a great guy, was awesome on the bench and dressing room and they’re happy to know they have a great person to call if need be in the future.
