Cavanagh’s decision to take another year of school was beneficial for both sides, Dana Barbin, Exeter’s hockey coach of 11 years, explains.

“I don’t know if he’s the best player I ever coached, but he’s certainly the most determined and certainly one of the best,” Barbin says. “When I think of Tommy Cavanagh, I say that’s the perfect player I ever coached because he was very good, extremely good and so hungry.”

As one of eight post-grads, Cavanagh still stood out, setting the school single-season scoring record with 42 goals.

“The most determined kid I’ve ever coached,” Barbin says. “He was just a joy in every way. He played the game with every ounce of energy, he put his heart and soul into it and he did it in a humble manner.

“As I said, he’s the perfect player. I miss him and I’ll probably never coach another quite like him.”

On Cavanagh’s end, a year in New Hampshire provided a nice transition to college life, perhaps aided by his lifestyle at home.

“It’s an adjustment at first for everyone, but I found it pretty easy actually,” Cavanagh says. “It probably helps coming from a big family. You get kind of get used to doing things on your own.”

Among other boons of his extra year, Cavanagh may also have tacked on a future career.

“I also got exposure because there were good kids on the team, so NHL scouts would come and look at them and they’d see me,” Cavanagh says, humbly.

They must have liked what they saw, because Cavanagh was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2001 NHL draft.

“We think he’s got a pretty good chance,” Burke says. “We’re happy with what he’s done so far. He has a great awareness of the game and great play-making ability. You can use him in all situations.”

Of Jokesters and Feeders

One role Cavanagh has successfully fallen into is that of a feeder. He and Pettit formed a dangerous duo in the offensive zone with a chemistry that became painfully apparent to opponents towards the end of last season.

“Between him and Timmy Pettit, they’re the most threatening pair in the ECAC, and one of the most in college hockey,” says junior Andrew Lederman, one of Cavanagh’s roommates in Eliot house.

“I’ve pretty much played with Tom for the majority of two seasons now and I don’t think there’s another person who can see the ice as well as he can,” Pettit says. “With Tommy Cavanagh, it’s really a lot of fun to play with him because he can get you the puck no matter where you are and he’s always open, too.”