Scoring bonanza

He’s tearing up the Kent St. John’s Junior  Hockey League as an overager with 25 points in 10 games, but those statistics are all the more impressive when you consider he’s a defenceman.

Dan Cadigan, who put up 41 points, including seven goals, last season, has 10 goals already this year. His offensive explosion included a four-goal performance in a 5-2 win over Mount Pearl Mark's Work Wearhouse Blades Sunday.

“Not bad. It’s a good start, I’ll tell you that,’ said Cadigan who has been instrumental in helping his team to a league best 8-2-0 start. “I’m happy with it.”

The six-foot 178-pounder from Outer Cove is a little surprised himself with his great start.

“I’m just trying to get the puck on the net any way I can,” he said. “I’m getting the shots through and they seem to be finding the back of the net.”

Cadigan said it helps that he gets a lot of time on the ice with the team’s top line and then there’s several power play opportunities that have produced some goals.

“I’ve got a bit more confidence as an overager,” added Cadigan who was named the team’s captain this season. “I’m expected to be a leader on the team and I have to step up and be that leader.”

While Cadigan is concentrating on his final year of junior hockey, he said he wouldn’t mind seeing some action with a senior team this season if he’s asked.

“My concentration right now is on my final year with the Celtics and helping the team to win a junior championship, but I like competitive hockey and I wouldn’t mind playing the odd senior game this season if I’m asked. I mean, I’d love to,” he said.

“It would be nice to play with my brother (James) on the Northeast Eagles after this season,” he said.

“Every now and then when I walk downstairs I see my father’s Herder on the mantel and I want one for myself.” - Dan Cadigan

The Cadigan boys teamed up pretty well this past summer when they rowed together with the 2010 Royal St. John’s Regatta men’s champion Rogers Bussey Lawyers crew.

Cadigan’s had a goal of playing at the provincial senior level for some time and he’d definitely like to follow in his father’s footsteps.                                                                                                               

It was Ron Cadigan’s overtime goal in Game 7 of the 1979 Herder final that gave Shamrocks an upset win over  Gander Flyers in one of the most memorable provincial senior hockey finals ever played.

Cadigan, who never saw his dad play, said his father probably told him about it when he was growing up. “But dad is a modest person and he never talked about it much. I usually here it from other people who ask, ‘Is Ron your dad?’ because they remember the goal,” said Cadigan.

But, he adds, “Every now and then when I walk downstairs I see my father’s Herder on the mantel and I want one for myself.”

jbrowne@thetelegram.com