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Tom Cavanagh
TCavanagh
Born March 24, 1982(1982-03-24)
Warwick, Rhode Island
Died January 6, 2011(2011-01-06) (aged 28)
Providence, Rhode Island
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
Played for San Jose Sharks
NHL Draft 182nd overall, 2001
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2005–2011

Tom Cavanaugh (born Thomas Garrett Cavanagh on March 24, 1982) was an American professional ice hockey center.

He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

After playing four seasons at Harvard University, Tom was signed to a professional contract by the Sharks organization.

Tom made his National Hockey League debut with San Jose near the end of the 2007–08 season and recorded an assist on his first shift. His shift to open the game was alongside Jeremy Roenick and Joe Thornton.

The following season, Tom scored his lone NHL goal on March 28, 2009, a backhand shot past Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Playing Career[]

Tom was the first player to play every single one of the Harvard’s games during his collegiate career.

He made his 138th consecutive appearance in a Crimson jersey in Harvard's final game of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Tom is the Worcester Sharks' all-time scoring leader with 138 points in 202 games.

Tom holds the San Jose Sharks franchise record for quickest point by a rookie for an assist on a goal by Joe Thornton that came 36 seconds into his first game in the NHL.

On November 9, 2010, Tom had been released from his contract with the Springfield Falcons.

Death[]

On January 6, 2011, Tom was found dead in the Providence Place Mall parking garage. The cause of death was identified as multiple traumatic injuries due to blunt force impact.

Police have stated that they believe Tom's death to be a suicide. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was institutionalized several times in the last months of his life.

Career Statistics[]

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001–02 Harvard University NCAA 34 8 17 25 4
2002–03 Harvard University NCAA 34 14 13 27 31
2003–04 Harvard University NCAA 36 16 20 36 26
2004–05 Harvard University NCAA 34 10 19 29 22
2005–06 Cleveland Barons AHL 62 10 11 21 36
2006–07 Worcester Sharks AHL 74 12 32 44 56 6 1 0 1 6
2007–08 Worcester Sharks AHL 77 19 36 55 55
2007–08 San Jose Sharks NHL 1 0 1 1 0
2008–09 Worcester Sharks AHL 51 15 24 39 37 12 3 2 5 8
2008–09 San Jose Sharks NHL 17 1 1 2 4
2009–10 Manchester Monarchs AHL 17 3 5 8 10
2010–11 Springfield Falcons AHL 5 0 1 1 4
NHL totals 18 1 2 3 4

Awards & Achievements[]

  • All-ECAC Hockey Second Team (2004–05)
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